This just in from the PostGlobe:
Chris Curtis, director of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, said she had just heard from the landowner in Columbia City last week that the market must move. She said the decision came as a surprise to her and was forced on a very supportive property owner by the economy. She said the owner, HAL Real Estate Investments, had allowed the market free use of the property and was sorry to have to end the arrangement.
After the loss of a tenant for a building there, Curtis said, HAL decided to use an open area, where the market has operated, to generate revenue from monthly parking, probably from people using the Link light rail system nearby. She said that while she is sad about the move, she keeps thinking that parking to encourage transit use is "a good thing."
Curtis expressed optimism about the future, however, saying that the community in Columbia City has been very supportive and she is just beginning to explore alternatives. With 45 farmers taking part weekly and strong attendance, Curtis said, it's important to find a good space. And it's important to maintain ties to nearby businesses, which have seen good synergy from the Wednesday markets.
The Columbia City market takes the winter off, with reopening in May.
