Polls favor Ix for City Market
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From City Market Facebook page
The task force created to study ideas and options for a permanent home for the Charlottesville City Market has come up with a list of suggested locations. According to an informal dish poll with a previous, much larger list of locations–-with 445 votes cast–-it looks like the Frank Ix property was the favorite, with the current location a close second, and the Pavilion/East end of the Mall a close third.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Pavilion/East end of the Mall option has been whittled away, along with City Yard, Tonsler Park, Downtown Mall (which came in 4th), Coca Cola Property, the Coal Tower Property, Water Street Garage, Lee Park, and the LexisNexis Parking lot. However, new selections include Charlottesville High School, 310 Avon Street, Albemarle County Office Building, and McIntire Park.
The Dish then put up a second poll with the new list of locations and 125 votes were cast. Again, the Frank Ix property came out on top, and the current location in the Water Street parking lot came in second. Of course, the task force still has a lot of criterior to consider, like access to parking, electricity, plumbing, cost and length of lease, etc., but it appears the public would like to see it moved to the Frank Ix property or nothing. Stay tuned for more updates from the task force.
Here's the current list of possible locations:
•310 Avon Street
•Amtrak lot (W. Main Street)
•Charlottesville High School
•Circus Grounds (off High Street)
•Albemarle County Office Building
•Court Square
•Frank Ix property
•Garrett Street
•Jefferson School
•Martha Jefferson Hospital
•McIntire Park
•Staples parking lot
•Water Street lot (current location)
21 comments
McIntire Park? Charlottesville HS parking lot?
Sorry, had to reset the poll. If you've already voted, please vote again.
The most important move will be to create a permanent roof for the market, which would make a city-owned property the most viable option.
Should be in a mostly walkable location close to downtown. Lee Park, Court Square, Ix all meet that criteria.
what is wrong with the task force .the city market has just about out grown the water street parking lot .a lot of the places chosen are simply not big enough to accommodate the market ,and as a local marketeer we are not looking for an indoor place .a market for farmers and vendors is suppose to be in the open air i really think you people have lost your minds,just as the city has as well
Inova parking lot and it will make'm look busy
we meaning the farmers ,are looking for a farmers market the city of charlottesville has made the city market a flee market ,what is going on with the city of charlottesville .my family started this farmers market ,i think it is time for the market to co-op and get it out of the citys hands we were promised a pernament home over 38 years ago ,so what id like to know is where is all the money saved that is suppose to be put into a home for the farmers market ,i think the city has made this into a huge joke of a market , a market is made up of folks that either grow ,make or produce there own goods most of the places you have chosen are not for the open air market and most can not accomadate large crowds of cars or people
This is a pretty tough vote without more information.
What are the criteria for a new location?
Mine are:
- large enough to support the growing market
- enough close parking where that doesn't become a problem
- close enough to walk or take the trolley to the mall or the corner with little hassle
- owning it or having a long term (50 year) lease
- having local restroom facilities
- ability to have cover during bad weather?
Has the hook, or anyone else, done an outline of the different properties?
My thoughts are:
Isn't the current spot going to become a building soon, which is the cause for this search?
Frank Ix is a good spot, but the developer is only willing to give a short term lease, which seems like a deal breaker.
Is riverfront trail the same as riverview park down by the river? That could work, but is far from downtown. Maybe we could have a trolley that did the run specially on Saturdays?
Tonsler park is not an American walk to anything. The parking would also be a huge problem.
I don't know anything about City Yard
Amtrak lot might actually work, especially if the market purchased the land, it is a reasonable walk/trolley ride down town or to the corner and it has ample space.
Coca Cola property might work, but who owns it and would it be permanent?
Staples lot would work, but it would have all of the same issues as the current spot.
The empty lots along main would be interesting, but again they would not be permanent and the market could therefor not make permanent changes.
I don't know anything about the coal tower, except i believe capshaw owns and plans to develop it.
Don't really know anything about the martha jeff property, this could be a great choice if it could be worked into the developers plan.
It doesn't seem like any of the parking garages would be big enough, and it would definitely harm the personality of the market.
Court Square looks good at first, but when you realize that the largest (and only?) synagogue in charlottesville will be in service during the main market time it becomes an issue.
The LexisNexis Parking lot might work but it is also a garage isn't it?
Lee park might work, but i would want to see a layout first. I think the topography might be challenging.
I like the idea of the downtown mall, but just don't see how that could work without disrupting the current businesses (outdoor cafes, blocking store fronts, etc)
The Pavilion is simply not big enough by itself, i wonder if Lexus Nexus would allow it to spill onto their land?
The jefferson school might be a good option. It is american walking distance to the mall, has a lot of space (though not sure how accessible it is) and is owned by the city.
Just a simple poll here, folks. Based on the current list of places being discussed by the task force. If you have questions or suggestions, join the discussion here or at Market Central.
http://www.marketcentralonline.org/market_central_site/City_Council_11_4...
Why not under the Belmont bridge, on the Belmont side? They are going to redesign/rebuild the bridge anyway, why not factor the market into the design? Very walkable, City owns the property, would be covered yet open-air...
i like all of logans suggestions except parking is a problem at most of the locales and seating for older folks and restrooms for everyone , lets get real here you people should just draw straws how about asking the vendors what they want
Logan's asking all the right questions. Cannot vote on a list like this. Parking!, walking!, location! all matter too much for the list to make sense as it is. I won't go to a market if I cannot get in/get out quickly and easily without too much hassle. None of these sites inspire confidence in that.
dolce,
Not even the location it has now?
Interesting reading the comments here, but there are some sites listed above that are no longer on the task force radar. There were many sites listed from a brainstorming session at the work session back in November, but the list has been whittled somewhat. Here are the ones that the task force is currently evaluating:
•310 Avon Street
•Amtrak lot (W. Main Street)
•Charlottesville High School
•Circus Grounds (off High Street)
•Albemarle County Office Building
•Court Square
•Frank Ix property
•Garrett Street
•Jefferson School
•Martha Jefferson Hospital
•McIntire Park
•Staples parking lot
•Water Street lot (current location)
If anyone is interested in reading more about the process to date, as well as a summary of vendor's thoughts from a vendor meeting held on February 5, here's another link:
http://www.marketcentralonline.org/market_central_site/Task_Force_progre...
Needless to say, this is a huge undertaking, and the task force doesn't take their work lightly. One thing for sure, though -- the issue won't be decided in the press. Market Central is happy to see the conversation flowing regarding a permanent home, and is working to be sure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard in this conversation.
You know one thing C'ville is mising is a venue for exotic dancing maybe it could be included in the market and the market should be there at a central location on West Main street in the Amtrack parking lot this would be perfect and it would be a great place to showcase the areas exotic dancers
KKildea,
Thanks for the update, but I'd be curious to know why you sent us this on Monday:
I just wanted to be sure that I sent you the link to the update we posted this week on task force progress:
http://www.marketcentralonline.org/market_central_site/City_Council_11_4...
There's a new poll above with an updated list of locations.
Dave, that is exactly the link I sent to you, and on that page, (before you scroll down to the very bottom to get the list of sites you originally posted), there is a paragraph/link that says
"~ Read an article by Market Central Chairwoman Cecile Gorham on the latest developments, and comments/concerns expressed at the vendor meeting on February 5 here. ~" Clicking this second link takes you to the more updated information, which I posted in my comment above.
I guess I thought the second link was more obvious than it (obviously) is.
Could the length of a street be used instead of an lot? How about the road that parallels the Friendship Court and community garden area? Perhaps a linear space would improve the flow of pedestrian traffic attending the market and the vendors could spread out to accommodate their needs.
Thinking...I believe Oliver Kuttner had the idea of closing off that part of Monticello Avenue in front of ACAC/Friendship Court for the Market, as traffic could be easily re-routed and there's a nice grass median there....and good tree shade.
While folks, I'm sure its very interesting to pretend we have a say in the market location, lets be realistic. Do we decide where the city holds its yoga classes, or senior swim classes? No, we dont. Those are functions of and decisions made by the various Parks and Recreation Department staff. They pay clealy capable people to do these things. If you (hook staff, market central volunteers, or readers) were deemed ultimately that capable , you would be receiving a commission. We all want to think our opinions matter. Odds are, you afformentioned, like myself are not experts , are not geniuses, and certainly not polymaths capable of making decisions without the requisite financial data, staffing information , or being privy in entirety to the issues at hand. The hook has misled you into feeling informed. You are not, and I am not. Our opinion does not matter.