Farmer's Market to Relocate! Why not Downtown?

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. 

-   contains 46,000sf warehouse with loading docks (could be renovated into indoor

-   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

-      Environmental issues and Myrtle Avenue “subway” could be a concern.

-    Property owned by City of Jacksonville

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.