$3M renovation of Grand Rapids' Fulton Street Farmers Market on schedule for May 5 opening

The long-awaited $3 million renovation of the Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids is nearly ready with construction wrapping up soon on phase 2 of the project. The market's traditional opening day is May 5 and Development Project Manager Christine Helms-Maletic says the market will open on schedule.

The market began in 1922 thanks to a grassroots citizen campaign to make farm-fresh goods available to the public, says Helms-Maletic. The overhaul, which began last November, updated the market with all new infrastructure that includes a modern stormwater retention system, as well as the aboveground amenities. Those include 118 vendor stalls with a permanent roof structure with lighting and overhead fans, a plaza area on the Fulton St. end of the market, improved traffic flow for vehicles, and adequate electricity for vendors.

"We upgraded the [electrical] capacity, so when somebody plugs in their coffeemaker they don't bring the whole market down, which would happen before," Helms-Maletic says. "This is a community gathering place and I can't tell you how many people say 'I love the farmers market'. It has created a real strong sense of place and a sense of tradition."

The plaza will have space for hot food vendors. Patrons will be able to sit in the shade on benches that each encircles a tree -- which will be planted soon.

Phase three of the project will take place next fall with the construction of a 2,000-square-foot building for year-round vendor opportunities.

Fundraising is ongoing with $2.5 million contributed so far and another $250,000 still needed. Helms-Maletic says commemorative bricks and pavers are still available for purchase at www.ourgoodnessisgrowing.org or via a brochure, which will be available at the market.

Source: Christine Helms-Maletic, Fulton Street Farmers Market Development
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Photographs: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor

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