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A. BACKGROUND
Constructed in 1938, the Jacksonville Farmer’s Market is only major public market left in the city. Purchased by Beaver Street Fisheries in 1985, this marketplace still draws hundreds of customers each week for a wide selection of fruits and vegetables. Activity at the market comes in waves. Typically, before dawn, farmers bring their crops in for wholesale. The wholesale distributors and restaurant owners arrive soon after. Later, homemakers and passers-by make their way through the tin-canopied sheds. The peak season occurs during the summer when as many as 30 farmers start hauling in corn, peas, okra, eggplant and other crops. It is not uncommon for farmers and vendors to travel 150 miles to bring their vegetables and fruits to Jacksonville. We learn this week, that the JEDC has approved an incentive package for Beaver Street Fisheries to expand, that will force the historic marketplace to relocate.
With our mind set on revitalizing the core, we at the Metro Jacksonville community feel our elected leaders and community have the perfect opportunity to come together in working to make sure the relocation of this vibrant and historic marketplace happens closer to the downtown core.
The Farmer’s Market’s sheds are located at the base of the Beaver Street viaduct. Most communities would love to have something like this still in operation in the inner city. While many struggle to attract the vendors needed to make a market successful, we already have them. With the market being forced to relocate, we need to take advantage of the situation and find a way to get a replacement facility closer to the downtown core. This would be beneficial to all parties, because a higher profile location means more customers for the vendors and a downtown market brings additional visitors into the CBD, as well as increases the possibility of market rate revitalization around the facility.
B. HISTORY & CONTEXT OF MARKETS (an excerpt from www.pps.org)
The once thriving tradition of public markets in the United States can be seen in all too few cities today. Most markets closed, were torn down or converted into other uses and it is important to understand what has worked and has not worked with recent public market programs as we investigate future opportunities and challenges. PPS’s market program also studies the experiences of other markets and their impact on places. These markets – i.e., Pike Place in Seattle, Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, and North Market in Columbus – show the tremendous opportunity for public markets in today's world of shopping malls and retail chains. These markets also show that with careful planning and investment, along with effective management, public markets can again become centers of sustainable local economies and community life.
The future of public markets, rely on the places in which they are found. Truly successful public markets become catalysts and centers of entire districts where a variety of places to shop, stroll and be entertained are found. The area becomes a place where people want to live. Public markets create a critical mass of activity that enhances an entire area. Public markets are not contrived theme parks however, but real places. With the right plan, business mix, and management a public market can represent a real step forward for the enhancement of the local economy.
C. HOW MARKETS BENEFIT COMMUNITIES (an excerpt from www.pps.org)
Photos of Washington DC's Eastern Market
Historically, markets have been proven to do the following:
1. Renew Downtowns and Neighborhoods
a. Act as an anchor for local businesses Encourage spin-off developmentb. Enhance real estate value & tax base
c. Keep dollars in the neighborhood
2. Bring Together Diverse People
a. Create places for people to gatherb. Enable mixing of diverse ethnic, cultural, & age groups
c. Encourage sense of pride & volunteerism
3. Create Active Public Space
a. Bring new life to underused spacesb. Reduce actual crime—and perceived security— by bringing people together
c. Create engaging walking environment
4. Provide Economic Opportunity
a. Low start-up cost Small business incubationb. First step for new immigrants
c. Opportunity for surrounding businesses
5. Shape Growth and Minimize Sprawl
a. Support compact, walkable communities
b. Help preserve open space and family farms
6. Promote Public Health
a. Increase access to fresh, affordable foodb. Reduce isolation and depression
c. Support community garden and urban agriculture projects
For full PPS.ORG article to sections B & C:
http://www.pps.org/markets/info/markets_program
D. SUGGESTED RELOCATION LOCATIONS
Shaded in red, the current market is just west of the Beaver Street Viaduct in Durkeeville. The aerial reveals how site constraints prevent it from interacting and intergrating with its surroundings.
The criteria used for the suggested locations come from the following post, made by a MetJax forumer called Riverside Planner:
I shop at the current Farmer's market at least once a month, and pretty much every week in the summer. Much of it's space needs are due to the fact that a number of produce distributors and restaurants shop there for their produce and some have pretty good sized trucks (10-15 ft box trucks). I've always thought that the market was one of Jacksonville's most overlooked opportunities for funky economic development. On any Saturday, you can hear many languages, get very fresh and seasonal produce and generally mingle with a wide cross-section of society. It's hard to say just how many vendors there are there; it definitely varies with the season and some are quite large. Perhaps 20-30 on Saturdays? A few of the larger vendors are there during the week as well. One factor that could limit relocation opportunities is that at least one vendor has live chickens and the occasional goat.
Based on my experience shopping there, as well as planning experience, I'll offer up the following locational criteria:
*4-5 acres at a minimum; more if expansion is a future possibility
*located on a minor arterial roadway or higher (truck traffic)
*Permanent covered structures, could be a "shell" with truck bays for vendors
Because this is a working 7-day-a-week market and not just a neighborhood/tourist/weekend farmers market, location within a more industrial area is probably ideal, especially given the chicken vendor. Also keep in mind that it's current location is Jacksonville's equivalent of a "meat-packing district". There is a certain synergy from similar businesses located near one another. However, I think this market could definitely benefit from a more visible location. Are there any blocks in LaVilla that are still available? Or Brooklyn perhaps?
The NC state farmers market outside of Raleigh off I-40 is a great example of what the Jax market could be and should aspire to. It doesn't take a lot of money to make a farmer's market great. Ours has the vendors, but the physical structures are abominable.
I encourage everyone to check the Jax market out sometime. You can't beat the prices and it is nice to buy directly from the grower or small distributor rather than Publix. That's my 2 cents.
With this in mind, the following sites, meeting the suggested criteria were mentioned by Metro Jacksonville forumers:
LA VILLA LOCATIONS
A new location within the immediate area, yet closer to downtown, makes LaVilla (with an abundance of underutilized city owned property) the ideal location for a new and improved farmer's market. A stronger connection with downtown would open the market up to economic expansion opportunities focusing on additional products and foods produced in the First Coast Region.
1. Red Overlay – Lee Street parcelsSite characteristics:
- Three undeveloped city blocks owned by the City of Jacksonville
- Combined, parcels make up 4 acres site
- Adjacent to Prime Osborn Convention Center and future JTA Transportation Center
- Direct skyway access ties site in with both the Northbank and Southbank CBDs, making
the market a needed everyday destination anchor for the skyway’s
rarely used convention center line.
- Location makes it possible for downtown and Brooklyn residents to access market
without the use of a car.
2. Yellow Overlay – Load King Manufacturing Co. warehouse
Site characteristics:
- 4.7 acre abandoned site owned by Load King Manufacturing Co.
- contains 46,000sf warehouse with loading docks (could be renovated into indoor
public market)
- Located a short distance from existing market on Beaver Street. Could spur
revitalization of a struggling warehouse district separated from downtown by I-95
- Direct access to downtown core provided by JTA’s existing free downtown trolley bus line.
3. Blue Overlay – Myrtle Avenue
Site characteristics:
- 4.7 acre undeveloped site off Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn
- Immediate access to I-95 via Forest Street interchange (now under construction)- Would tie in with proposed McCoy’s Creek greenway and JTA Transportation Center.
- Environmental issues and Myrtle Avenue “subway” could be a concern.
- Property owned by City of Jacksonville
ALTERNATIVE INNER CITY LOCATION: SPRINGFIELD WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
4. Springfield Warehouse District – Former Setzer complex
Site Characteristics:
- Available 4.6 acre industrial complex with rail access
- Includes 140,000sf warehouse and 27,840sf cold storage warehouse
- Main Street and MLK Expressway both within 5 blocks of site
- Could become northern destination anchor for Historic Springfield and spur revitalization of historic warehouse district
E. EXAMPLES OF OTHER PUBLIC MARKETS
Pike Place Market - Seattle - www.pikeplacemarket.org
Findlay Market - Cincinnati - www.findlaymarket.org
Eastern Market - Detroit - www.easternmarket.org
Portland Public Market - www.portlandpublicmarket.com
HOW CAN I HELP?
The announcement of the market's need to relocate and its potential effect on downtown has not been heavily covered in the local media. With JEDC's approval of Beaver Street Fisheries expansion incentive request, the time is now to make it known that every effort possible should be taken to find a new location for this local institution in or near downtown. To do this we must get the word out ASAP! If you would like to see this market relocated located downtown please take the time to contact the JEDC, DVI, the City Council and the Mayor's Office or send letters to local newspapers endorsing the idea. Thanks for your support.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PUBLIC MARKETS
Project for Public Spaces: Public Markets Collaborative
www.pps.org
PublicMarkets/ USDA Farmers Market Resources
www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets
LINKS TO SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC MARKETS
North Market: Columbus, Ohio
www.northmarket.com
National City 2nd Street Public Market: Dayton, Ohio
www.2ndstreetpublicmarket.com
Erie Street Market: Toledo, Ohio
www.eriestreetmarket.org
West Side Market: Cleveland, Ohio
www.westsidemarket.com
Capitol Market: Charleston, West Virginia
www.capitolmarket.net
Lexington Farmers Market: Lexington, Kentucky
www.lexingtonfarmersmarket.com
Eastern Market: Washington, DC
www.easternmarket.net
Granville Island Public Market: Vancouver, British Columbia
www.granvilleisland.com/en/shopping/publicmarket
Portland Public Market: Portland, Maine
www.portlandmarket.com
Reading Terminal Market: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
www.readingterminalmarket.org
Lexington Market: Baltimore, Maryland
www.lexingtonmarket.com
Chelsea Market: New York, New York
www.chelseamarket.com/enter/index.html
Soulard Market: St. Louis, Missouri
www.stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/soulardmarket
Grand Central Market: Los Angeles, California
www.grandcentralsquare.com
Grove Arcade Public Market: Asheville, North Carolina
www.grovearcade.com
City Market: Kansas City, Kansas
http://kc-citymarket.com
River Market: Little Rock, Arkansas
www.rivermarket.info
St. Lawrence Market: Toronto, Ontario Canada
www.stlawrencemarket.com
ByWard Market: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
www.byward-market.com/
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Jason
October 25, 2006, 08:25:04 AMThis market is definitely something that would benefit downtown and continue to benefit the city as a whole.
I hope that Jacksonville's leaders take notice to this and make sure they they are accomodated.
thelakelander
October 25, 2006, 12:54:44 PMI just got off the phone with a representative at the farmer's market. He told me that Beaver Street Fisheries also owns property to the west of their site and that current plans call for the market to be relocated there.
Imo, while it certainly may be a viable site, considering Beaver Street already owns the land, since the sheds will have to be torn down and rebuilt (meaning money will be spent anyway), the opportunity for a relocation of the market to "city owned" property should still be seriously considered.
With this new info, site's 2 (Load King) & 4 (Setzer) can be eliminated, due to the fact, they're privately owned. That leaves site's 1 & 2, both of which are undeveloped alive. What we really need at this point is someone who understands the potential benefits to all parties, with connections (JEDC, DVI, Mayors Office, Council, etc.) to champion the cause.
Jason
October 26, 2006, 08:50:43 AMI call for another commitee!!
Perhaps Metro Jacksonville could be hired for the task...
daniel
October 31, 2006, 01:28:08 PMis there an email address that we can send comments to the city to voice our opinion on this matter. The move to downtown would be great for DT.
thelakelander
November 03, 2006, 05:43:29 PMMayor John Peyton - jpeyton@coj.net
Council Members
Suzanne Jenkins (District 4) - SuzanneJ@coj.net
Pat Lockett-Felder (District 7) - PFelder@coj.net
Reggie Fullwood (District 9) - ReggieF@coj.net
Elaine Brown (At large) - ElaineB@coj.net
Glorious Johnson (At large) - GloriousJ@coj.net
JEDC
Ron Barton (Director) - barton@coj.net
Paul Crawford (Deputy Director) - paulc@coj.net
Eric Lindstrom (Site Development Coordinator) - ericl@coj.net
Karen Nasrallah (Redevelopment Coordinator) - loglesby@coj.net
Joe Whitakeer (Business Recruitment Coordinator) - josephw@coj.net
TU downtown reporters
Joe Light - joe.light@jacksonville.com
Karen Mathis - karen.mathis@jacksonville.com
Farmer's Market Owner
Beaver Street Fisheries - http://www.beaverfish.com/resources_contact.asp
Jacksonville Farmers Market
1780 West Beaver Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
(904) 354-2821
OPEN-AIR/YEAR-ROUND
Monday-Sunday, 5:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
thelakelander
November 03, 2006, 06:37:56 PMJeff Edwards at Beaver Street Fisheries (representative for owner of Beaver Street Market) - jedwards@beaverfish.com
Joey Marchy
November 06, 2006, 11:48:27 AMjedwards@beaverfish.com, SuzanneJ@coj.net, PFelder@coj.net, ReggieF@coj.net, ElaineB@coj.net, GloriousJ@coj.net, barton@coj.net, paulc@coj.net, ericl@coj.net, loglesby@coj.net, josephw@coj.net, joe.light@jacksonville.com, karen.mathis@jacksonville.com, jpeyton@coj.net
PJparker
March 04, 2010, 02:00:34 AMSounds good. Would there be enough space to accommodate produce trucks? Parking close to the vendors so you could load up your vehicle? Walking around space? I go to the Beaver Street market occasionally. It has made some improvements, but it could use a more suitable location.
thelakelander
March 04, 2010, 09:21:50 AMSure. At the time we were suggesting available industrial and undeveloped sites closer to DT and I-95 but still in the same industrial area. We never advocated moving to market in the heart of DT.
zoo
March 04, 2010, 09:38:50 AMTo tie this to another thread, what about the Ford Assembly plant in Talleyrand? I know that is a massive amt of sq footage, and some $ will have to be spent for structure relocation/construction/repair, but maybe converting that structure to more indoor/outdoor market would be short-term financially feasible? Kill two birds with one stone?
stephendare
March 04, 2010, 09:44:00 AMlike a clear mountain stream flowing from a dry and rocky space.
What makes that a great idea, is that its also directly on the river and would allow for ship access.
aaapolito
March 04, 2010, 09:47:03 AMYou mean something like this: http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
This is my favorite farmers market in the world. Borough Market on the Southbank of London is fantastic.
rjp2008
March 04, 2010, 12:07:22 PMI would start planning for some kind of La Villa space.
You'll have a transportation center there, something else Ben Carter properties is cooking up (hotel? cinema? etc.) and then the farmer's market. A triple threat if you will.
Transport Center w/ retail, Hotel/Gym/Retail next door, Farmer's market public space.
Ideally though, long term you definitely want something on the river, more high end, to attract the tourism dollar and wealthier suburbanites who'd only come if it was in a more high end location.
Shwaz
March 15, 2010, 11:49:46 AMI second the relocation to the Ford Assembly plant. Plenty of space and plenty of parking plus river access.
Great idea!