Aldermen Alan Long (left) and Matthew Petty discuss proposed changes to the Farmers’ Market ordinance during a recent Saturday morning market on the downtown square.
Photo: Todd Gill, Flyer staff
There’s still no decision on whether the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market can expand on the downtown square.
City Council members agreed Tuesday to wait another two weeks before voting on the issue at the request of Ward 3 Alderman Martin Schoppmeyer, who was absent, but requested earlier this week that the group delay the decision until he could be present.
Up for debate is a proposal that would close traffic on a third street surrounding the square during the Saturday morning market.
Currently, East Avenue is the only street closed by law. Mountain Street is closed by police to ensure safety for the thousands of residents who walk between the market and the Town Center plaza during the Saturday market.
Alderman Matthew Petty first suggested adding closure of Block Avenue and Center Street to allow the market to grow and to bring more pedestrian traffic to the surrounding businesses.
During an Ordinance Review Committee meeting held last week, council members agreed to remove Center Street from the proposal before forwarding their recommendation to the full council.
For more on that decision, see our May 1 story.
Alderman will again consider the proposed changes during the next council meeting on May 21.
