The Broadway farmers market received good news with word from the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog this afternoon that the weekly community gathering can stay in place through 2010. But the PostGlobe learned that the popular Columbia City farmers market is looking for a new home.
Chris Curtis, director of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, said she had just heard from the landowner in Columbia City last week that the market must move. She said the decision came as a surprise to her and was forced on a very supportive property owner by the economy. She said the owner, HAL Real Estate Investments, had allowed the market free use of the property and was sorry to have to end the arrangement.
After the loss of a tenant for a building there, Curtis said, HAL decided to use an open area, where the market has operated, to generate revenue from monthly parking, probably from people using the Link light rail system nearby. She said that while she is sad about the move, she keeps thinking that parking to encourage transit use is "a good thing."
Curtis expressed optimism about the future, however, saying that the community in Columbia City has been very supportive and she is just beginning to explore alternatives. With 45 farmers taking part weekly and strong attendance, Curtis said, it's important to find a good space. And it's important to maintain ties to nearby businesses, which have seen good synergy from the Wednesday markets.
The Columbia City market takes the winter off, with reopening in May.
The Broadway market operates year around and is very popular. While other markets saw some drops in business for the first time this year because of the recession, Curtis reported, Broadway continued its growth.
After 2010, an interim Capitol Hill spot will be needed when development starts on the existing site. The Broadway market is awaiting a permanent home with the completion of a Capitol Hill light rail station, which the Capitol Hill blog projects for 2016. She said one possibility is to have the market operate at Seattle Central Community College.
While farmers markets have become very popular, many of them are dependent on short-term rental agreements and property owner with open space.
