Check out Erik Spanberg updating the Uptown farmer’s public market timeline via Michael “$300K” Smith of Center City Partners:
Last week, Smith asked for an answer from the city by Sept. 27. But on Sunday, he told me the schedule is being delayed 30 to 45 days to allow for “a parallel path” of city research and further clarification of design and cost plans by Center City Partners. It would be reviewed by the City Council’s economic-development committee before being referred to the full council for a decision.
Based on that schedule, the city would weigh in on funding the project in late October or early November.
As for nomenclature, “it’s not a farmer’s market,” Smith says. “No trucks pull up and sell out of the back. It’s a public market.”
Two things. The name futzing is a result of folks noticing that the former Reid’s site is way too damn small to be an actual farmer’s market — that and we are already are hip-deep in “farmer’s markets” around here. So basically think urban flea market — space rented out weekly to whom ever shows, overall rent subsidized by John Q. Taxpayer.
The delay, however, I am convinced is the result of the city’s sudden intent to stop paying $175K for crossing guards and otherwise stick CMS with more of the safety cost in and around CMS schools. It just would not look very good for city officials to find another $1m. for Smith and crew — on top of the millions in tax dollars CCP already receives — at the same moment Charlotte pleads poverty on crossing guards.
So remember — subsidized retail space hard by a $600m. public-funded light rail stop — top city priority. Crossing guards? The little bastards can be speed-bumps for all the Uptown crowd cares.
