by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
City planners are moving the Downtown Farmers Market up the block to Hemming Plaza as part of a continuing strategy to increase pedestrian traffic in the City’s core.
Al Battle, the Downtown Development Authority’s managing director, said the enabling legislation could make the rounds through City Council committees as soon as next week and appear before the full Council the following Tuesday. Battle said the market would make the one–block move north from its current Hogan Street location immediately following Council approval.
Until the move, Battle said the market would continue undisturbed. However, the legislation approving the move will set stricter guidelines for the weekly Friday bazaar. Battle said vendors participating in the Hemming Plaza market would have to be properly licensed, insured and inspected. The vendors will be held to the same standards as hotdog carts and other sidewalk vendors, said Battle.
“We want to ensure that they are operating in a safe manner and that the products they sell meet standards for safety and cleanliness,” said Battle.
Several of the vendors interviewed previously said they paid $285 for annual vendor’s permits, but Battle said licenses are not currently required.
The lack of oversight was a primary concern when organizers considered shutting down the market in November, said Battle. At the time, Downtown Vision, Inc., cited health and safety concerns and a lack of available parking and actually announced the market’s temporary closure. That decision was reversed following a wave of vocal public support, said Battle.
“There was some thought to closing the market while DVI considered its visions about enhancements,” said Battle. “But they caught so much flak, I think they reconsidered.”
Battle said he didn’t know if all the current vendors would make the move to Hemming Plaza. He said DVI wanted to attract more vendors, offering a wider variety of products.
Vendors identified a lack of parking as the current location’s main drawback. Although the City sets aside metered spaces for the market, downtown commuters often take the spaces, forcing vendors to lug armfuls of flowers, baked goods and produce for blocks.
Battle said the City could shut down parts of Hogan Street around Hemming Plaza on Friday to provide parking and create a pedestrian–friendly environment. DVI started the market about two years ago to draw workers out of their offices onto downtown’s streets and sidewalks.
The DDA has targeted Hemming Plaza in particular as a downtown gathering place. The new City Hall, the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art and the under–construction Main Library all were built around the plaza to attract walkers.