Recommendation
Each year the Downtown Business Association (DBA) makes a request to Buildings & Grounds to close Municipal Lot 1 to host the Farmers Market on Saturdays in May through October. The DBA has filled out a Special Event Application with the City Clerk and approval is sought from the Buildings & Grounds Committee to approve the parking lot closure.
Under further review by the City, administration of the Farmers Market may be changing for 2016 and the location of the Farmer’s Market is being considered for a different lot north of the river. Additionally, the City has further reviewed the affects of the W. Main Street reconstruction project on overall downtown parking and has determined that Municipal Lot 1 shall remain open to the public for parking during the time of the W. Main Street reconstruction project. This project is expected to be completed in August and reopened to traffic. At the time W. Main Street is reopened, Municipal Lot 1 can be considered for temporary closure on Saturday’s for the Farmers Market.
Staff is recommending that this item be approved with the stipulation that Municipal Lot 1 can only be closed for Farmers Market after the W. Main Street project is completed and opened to traffic.
Recommended Motion: Move to approve closure of Municipal Parking Lot 1 for the Farmers Market every Saturday May 7, 2016 to Saturday October 29, 2016 from 5:00 am to 2:00 pm only after the W. Main Street construction project is completed in approximately early August 2016. This closing would include permission to tow vehicles from the area.