After 10 years at its present location in the Grand Marais Municipal Parking Lot, the Cook County Farm and Craft Market is moving – but patrons won’t have far to go to visit the new site.
In fact, the vendors are only moving a short distance, across Broadway to the City Hall parking area. The move is intended to alleviate congestion and improve safety in the busy municipal lot that adjoins the Senior Center, East Bay Suites, Whole Foods Co-op and Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply.
Under the terms of the agreement, organizers of the Farm Market will be able to store their barricades and signs in an area behind City Hall; use the entire parking lot extending back to the alley and about a half-dozen parking spaces behind the building; block off the area Friday evening; and place banners advertising the market on utility poles fronting Broadway.
The Farm and Craft Market board was represented at city council’s March 30 meeting by Hana Senty, Millie Spry and Tom Crosby. Although the agreement was mostly complete, they raised some questions about the possibility of the city asking the market to relocate yet again in the coming months. Councilors said it was unlikely to happen this summer, since there are no other plans for use of the lot, although the future of the municipal building that houses the city’s offices and liquor store remains uncertain beyond that.
City Attorney Chris Hood was consulted on the legality of having the market move midway through the season. “It wouldn’t be very fair to change the permit conditions,” he said, recommending that language be inserted in the contract that states the city may change the terms if the location doesn’t work out.
Councilor Tim Kennedy said he sees the new location as a better alternative, although “it’s hard to say if it’s a longterm solution.”
But Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux assured the board that council wants the market to be successful. “We’re going to be pretty flexible to make it work,” he said. “You’ve had a good partner in the Senior Center, and we hope to do that too.”
Senty said she and the board were satisfied with the new arrangement. “We want to work with you and keep everybody happy,” she said.
The mayor asked that the board offer feedback during the summer, and changes could be made if possible. “We all support what you’re doing,” he said.
The Farm and Craft Market will open for its 19th season in late May with about 20 vendors who offer jewelry, wood work, pottery and clay items, sewing, baked goods, fresh coffee, canned goods and local produce. It will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the possibility of some Sundays added.
In other city business:
. Municipal Liquor Store Manager Chris LaVigne presented the findings of an informal study he did at council’s request to determine whether the store should remain in its downtown location, or be moved to a new site when and if the City Hall building is abandoned. LaVigne said his research – which included both employees and customers – overwhelmingly concluded that a downtown location is best for reasons including increased foot traffic which translates into more impulse buys; parking availability; and customer convenience due to the proximity of lodging accommodations and restaurants. Council asked LaVigne to continue his efforts with a more detailed presentation of what he would like to see in a new or remodeled store such as square footage; amenities such as a beer cave, increased inventory (particularly craft beers) or designated areas for wine-tasting or similar events; and a projected cost based on square footage and how much revenue an improved facility could be expected to generate.
. Council passed on second reading an ordinance clarifying the existing city ordinance dealing with lodging uses. In particular, the revision adds definitions, uses consistent terms, and removes outdated phrases and concepts. Mayor Arrowsmith DeCoux said he received one positive comment praising the simplified language, but no other comments were submitted.
. Councilor Tracy Benson said she has been going around town and talking with people who may be interested in serving on a steering committee for the planned Comprehensive Plan update, and she is surprised at the “lack of awareness that we are about to do this.” Benson said she believes council’s recent enactment of a building moratorium in the C/I district has created a “great deal of unhappiness around the community” because people regard the action as heavy-handed and not council’s role, and noted that “there may be some validity to that argument.” Council must be careful what it limits or allows, she cautioned.
. Benson also said council needs to speed up its process of planning a new public works facility at the former Tomteboda Lodge site, and deciding what else (if anything) will be included in the project. The decision will affect long-range plans for City Hall’s administrative offices, liquor store and public restrooms, she said, and too much time is passing by with nothing happening. Various plans have been discussed by council, including building a new city hall in conjunction with the PUC garage, relocating the liquor store to the recently acquired site on the west end of town, or possibly refurbishing the existing structure on Broadway. Regarding the latter option, Benson said she sees no reason for council to keep two properties off the tax rolls, and has heard no compelling reason for the city to maintain its public service facilities on two separate locations.
In an effort to expedite the planning process and bring a more comprehensive approach to the project, council set a work session for April 5 to further discuss its options. “We need to talk this through on a high level, and make a decision,” said Arrowsmith DeCoux. Despite the lack of any plans (general or specific), it is still hoped that construction on the public works facility will begin this year.
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