by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
With a little help from the City Council and the Downtown Development Authority, life for the Downtown Farmers Market may get substantially easier by the first of the year.
Downtown Vision, Inc., which organizes the weekly market, says they are in the process of drafting legislation, with input from the DDA, and should have something introduced “as soon as possible.”
Council member Suzanne Jenkins met with DVI representatives Monday and said she looks forward to sponsoring it.
“I’m definitely an advocate for the farmers market,” said Jenkins after the meeting. “We’re still working through the process of figuring out what we need to do, but I think it went well.”
Jenkins received several negative calls when DVI announced the market was going to close in November.
“I know a lot of people, including me, want to see it remain a success, and they don’t want it to have to close down again,” she said. “I’ll do whatever I can do to help and I think a new ordinance is the most logical thing first step.”
Serving as a model for the new legislation is an ordinance already in place in Neptune Beach.
“[The ordinance] they have is designed in a way that allows for much easier expansion as it become necessary,” said Amy Crockett, DVI business development manager. “It basically serves to address the event as a whole, and that’s what we want downtown. Until now, we’ve been working from existing sidewalk vendor guidelines and some of them don’t necessarily apply to what we do.”
Crockett added the current permitting process has historically made “individual participation” much more difficult.
Market vendors are required to have an occupational license, a sidewalk vendor permit and a minimum $1 million insurance policy.
“That’s too much for some people, like, for instance, someone who makes quilts from their home,” said Crockett. “That’s unfortunate because we would actually like to see more craft vendors take part in it.”
Under the new legislation, the need for an occupational license would likely be waived.
“But obviously, we would still continue to meet all of the health codes and other safety standards while the farmers market continues to expand,” said Crockett.
Making further growth more feasible is a planned location change for the market. Crockett said a move to Hemming Plaza could take place by March.
“It’s only going to grow and it will be much easier at a new location with more room,” she said. “There are already a few too many logistical challenges where it is now with parking and things of that nature. It will definitely be better served once it is moved.
Crockett said market vendors have been informed of the work ahead and will be expected to cooperative as more details materialize.
“It’s already gaining in popularity, which is great,” she said. “By spring, we’re hoping to have 15 vendors participating.”