Farmers market spurs street closure debate
Discussion before City Council delayed
By Laura Brown, laurab@theunion.com
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12:01 a.m. PT Mar 26, 2008
Nevada City merchants are discussing the merits of holding a farmers market on their busiest day, Saturday - weighing the benefits of bringing city residents closer together in an informal setting against the inconvenience of street closures.
The market's proponents had planned to present the idea to the Nevada City City Council tonight, but at a meeting late Tuesday, the Nevada City Downtown Association decided to postpone their request until more details are worked out among members.
To some residents, the last-minute compromise offered a hopeful sign that downtown merchants - sometimes at odds with one another - could settle their differences peacefully.
"We know we have some questions that need to be answered, and we are going to get them answered," said association president Jim McConnaughay.
The city already has a farmers market that operates from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays from July 11 to Sept. 26.
The resolution, brought to the city by association board member and city council candidate Reinette Senum, would have closed North Pine Street between Broad and Commercial streets from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from June 28 to Oct. 25.
Business owners on and near North Pine said scarce parking prompted their opposition, and 15 people by Tuesday had signed a petition against the idea.
"I don't necessarily think the idea's bad. The location is bad," said Steve Crowder, owner of Confectionary Mine on Broad Street at the corner of North Pine. "I don't believe that the trade-off of closing Pine and the loss of parking will justify the business the farmers' market will produce."
The loss of parking spaces would hurt sales on their best shopping days, Crowder added.
Senum, who also sits on the board of the Nevada City Downtown Association, said the market would promote locally produced fruits and vegetables and bring more pedestrian traffic and business to downtown.
"There's always going to be naysayers," said Senum, adding that a farmers' market is about being inclusive and could help city residents - divided, in some cases - reconnect.
Other events, such as Victorian Christmas, do not typically bring in shoppers to offset business that is lost because customers can't find a place to park, said Toad Hall Bookshop owner Gary Stollery, who started the petition against the resolution and has been a vocal critic of the Downtown Association since its beginnings as the Business Improvement District. On the other hand, longstanding events such as Victorian Christmas also bring visibility to the area for tourism, other merchants say.
"A Saturday market would absolutely benefit downtown," Nevada City Mayor Sally Harris said. "They're a fun event - people have coffee, breakfast, lunch. But I'm open to any idea that would work and make it positive for existing merchants."
Area farmers were so successful at the Friday market they asked to expand it, Harris said. They contacted Senum and asked for quick action so they could settle publicity and vendor schedules, Harris said.
Senum collected names of 25 business people who support the market and has been making an effort to reach out to disgruntled business owners.
"I applaud Reinette for trying to create more enthusiasm in downtown Nevada City at a time when many businesses are struggling in tough economic times," said Nevada City Chamber President Jeff Ackerman, serving a one-year term. "Though it seems she could have tested the appetite among the Pine Street businesses more effectively, we need to encourage efforts like this." Ackerman also is publisher of The Union.
A study released last year, known as the Great Nevada City Survey, showed a large number of residents wanted more downtown events involving closed streets.
City Editor Trina Kleist contributed to this report. To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
