Spokane group pushes for public marketplace

A small group of determined citizens continues to pursue the idea of a Spokane Public Marketplace.

On April 28, they met at Barrister Winery downtown to exchange ideas and divide into work groups.

Christopher Kelly, Spokane Public Marketplace director, opened the meeting by saying the parameters for the public marketplace are that it’s close to downtown, visible, zoning appropriate and has amenities available.

The news of the night was the group has revived the 501(c)(3) status of the long-gone Spokane Marketplace, which at one time was located off Division Street and Riverside Avenue.

When asked how this marketplace would fit in with all the other farmers markets in the area, Kay Stoltz, president of Spokane Public Marketplace, said: “We see this as bigger than the smaller farmers markets, with artisans. The closest I can think of is the Pike Place Market.”

Bill Green, secretary of the group, said they’ve sent “overtures” to the Spokane Farmers Market.

“There is some interest,” Green said.

The biggest hurdle to overcome is finding a location for a year-round public market.

“It seems like every location we look at comes in at around $1 million,” said Kelly, and there is no money – yet.

Possible locations discussed at the meeting were the Jensen-Byrd Building, the former Empire Ford dealership, the warehouse that used to house Roses and More (in the area of Browne and Second Avenue) and the McKinley School in the East Central neighborhood.

Public markets in Eugene, Ore., Olympia and Missoula were also mentioned as good models.

Green said funding could come from many sources.

“We need to look at private donations, grants and perhaps partnerships with other organizations or developers,” he said. “Perhaps we can find someone who wouldn’t mind having some condos right next to a public market.”