The Farmers Market seems to be in the news a lot lately. Some of the City Council members want to move the market to our downtown parking garage. They think the property is too valuable for something that is only open one or two days a week.
One member of the council, Shirley Baird, wants to expand the market so more vendors can set up and more people can come downtown to shop. The Mayor's office seems to agree with her, and some of the downtown merchants do also. They see the market as a starting place for new businesses. A couple of new business owners seem to back this up. They started out with a booth at the market and now have successful businesses downtown.
The market is run by Develop New Albany but the property is owned by us taxpayers. Some merchants think that the market is getting preferred treatment by he city and some of the council members agree. We believe this arrangement is the only one of its kind in New Albany and that is what is irking the merchants.
They don't realize how much help the New Albany Brewhouse received from the city, the new sidewalks, patio and half the street for instance.
We at Freedom of Speech would like to say:
The Farmers Market has done a lot to help downtown. Many times a shopper comes downtown to the market and they continue to shop at the stores, eat at the restaurants, visit the parks, etc.
Businesses help each other succeed...
We applaud Councilwoman Baird for trying to improve OUR downtown.
