FLINT -- The Flint Farmers market is moving from its current location, where it has been since 1940, to one downtown according to the Uptown Development Corporation (UDC).
The Farmers Market is expected to move to 300 E. First Street, which is the former Flint Journal printing facility.
Dick Rams dell, the Flint Farmer's Market manager, said, "Many people have memories of the market at its current location. There is a history, ambiance, and a country-like quietness at the location alongside the river, all of which hold great attraction. However, we are hopeful that the public will embrace the fact that moving into a newer, and much larger facility offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for the market and its vendors to take a significant step into the future."
The president of the UDC, Tim Herman, said that "the current market is bursting at the seams." According to Herman the new location will allow the market to double its growth.
The new facility will have 32,000 square feet available.
There are also plans for a commercial kitchen designed to be a test kitchen for current market vendors and entrepreneurs.
The move is planned to take place in 2014.
This move is part of a proposed $32 million downtown redevelopment project.
Uptown Development Corporation tells us they will hold community open houses held at Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint on March 13.
The first meeting is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon.
The second is planned for 5 p.m. to 7p.m.
There is also an online petition objecting to the move. You can find that petition
at change.org. It was started by Melodee Hagensen of Flint.
