The folks at the Seattle Farmers Market Association wanted to make sure that Wallingfordians are informed and involved in the decision for where next year’s market will be located. You’ll recall that the Wallingford Center parking lot, which has hosted the market for five years, will no longer be available in 2011 and beyond.
The Farmers Market Association sent us this notice to share with the community:
A meeting was held on November 2, 2010 of the newly formed Wallingford Farmers Market Steering Committee.
During the meeting everyone confirmed their support for the farmers market to continue operating in the community. The Seattle Farmers Market Association helped the committee determine the following criteria for a suitable site:
1. Size of the site must be large enough to accommodate a minimum of 40 10×10 canopies, and ideally will allow enough space for approximately 8-10 vendors to expand during their high production months. The size must also provide space for aisles that meet all safety requirements and the loading/unloading needs for market operations.
2. Access to a commercially permitted, plumbed water facility that will meet health department requirements.
3. Cost of the site must be affordable so the market can support all costs of the market throughout the season.
4. A location that offers favorable visibility and/or recognition by the general community so as to provide mitigation for significant disruptions caused by the market relocation.
5. Parking availability for as many as 15 large vendor vehicles. This parking should be reasonably convenient for vendors, yet far enough away from the market site so as not to interfere with nearby residential needs or with market visitor access.
6. Preferences are for:
a. a paved surface;
b. a location near the local businesses;
c. accessibility to bus stops.It was agreed by all that it is important for the community to be informed of the committee’s efforts. A community meeting is scheduled on January 19th at 7:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at 1501 North 45th. This meeting will be to review feasible sites that have been identified and give all interested residents, property owners, and business owners the opportunity to ask questions and provide input into the selection process. The City confirmed its commitment to assisting with the permit/application process necessary to finalize a site choice. They are also willing to assist with the community meeting.
Please find below the contact information for steering committee members.
Kara Ceriello, Wallingford Chamber of Commerce: kara@wallingfordchamber.org
Charlotte Trelease, Wallingford Neighborhood Ofc: catrelease@gmail.com
Erika Lee, Wallingford Community Council: publicanlee@yahoo.com
Tim Durkan, City Neighborhood Service Ofc: tim.durkan@seattle.gov
Cathy Tuttle, Sustainable Wallingford: cathy.tuttle@gmail.com
Jake Weber, Family Works: jakew@familyworksseattle.org
Amy Singer, Wallingford Center/Lorig Management: asinger@lorig.com
Steve Johnson, City Office of Economic Dev: steve.johnson@settle.gov
Karen Selander, City Office of Economic Dev: karen.selander@seattle.gov
Candace Reiter, SFMA Board Secretary: candacereiter@earthlink.net
Judy Kirkhuff and Ben Chandler, SFMA/WFM: sfmamarketmaster@gmail.com
