Year-round GR Farmers Market proposed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOOD) - A year-round Farmer's Market is possible under a plan announced Wednesday morning by Grand Rapids city officials.

The $27 million project, located just south of downtown in the area of Wealthy and US-131, is designed to revitalize that block.

Developers envision turning an old, run-down food distribution warehouse into a sprawling urban market that will attract people from around the region to the Heartside neighborhood on Ionia, just east of US-131 between Wealthy and Logan.

This 3.5 acre complex is the former Sunvelt Produce company,and is currently owned by the Downtown Development Authority.

The Developers of this project, Grand Action, is known for its role in building the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place.

This new urban market, they say, will not only provide a place for local farmers to sell their goods but will also be a center of urban activity.The concept is based on similar urban markets in cities like Columbus, Ohio and Milwaukee.

The vision for the Grand Rapids market would take up several floors, totaling 178,000 square feet and including more than 200 free parking spaces.

But developers say this will be more than just a farmers market.

It "also includes space for architects, artists, sculptures, pottery, ceramics. A rooftop space 23,000 square feet, (plus) two or three restaurants in this six-building complex," said Grand Action committee co-chair David Frey.

Developers, who are seeking private funds, say the urban market has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, and they say they have the support of the seasonal Fulton Street Farmers Market.

An estimated time for opening is during 2012.