A much-delayed building project that would bring an indoor farmers’ market space, with apartments above it, to St. Paul’s Lowertown, appears back on track. The city will now act as developer.
The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal reports that the project broke ground two years ago, but construction stopped in the spring because of a $2 million cost overrun.
City officials plan to start work again next year, using the next few months to design the project and rebid the construction contracts.
The city has been looking at the half-started construction project long enough, Cecile Bedor, director of St. Paul’s Planning and Economic Development Department, told the Journal.
“We’re going to get that project built, come hell or high water,” she said. “I’m confident.”
What is the justification for this?
The wife and I shop the farmers market almost every weekend during the season. It is provided with roofs and has excellent access for shoppers and vendors as it is right now.
What’s the problem?
I swear, for a city that features a mayor that is perpetually squirting tears about money shortages, Saint Paul looks sure looks like it can’t find places to spend it’s tax dollars fast enough.
I agree with Thomas (a first) that the outdoor farmers’ market should be retained — perhaps with a building over it that contained apartments and shops if it would help the city and its residents.
The neat thing about shopping a farmers’ market outdoors is that that’s where the flowers, fresh produce and people are all lit by the sun. I think some of the ambiance would be lost by having it indoors.