Farmers market restoration begins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The public phase of the $2 million fundraising effort to renovate the Fulton Street Farmers Market begins Wednesday.

The plan for restoration includes a roof with permanent covered open-air sheds, a parking area, a plaza with seating, bike parking and a vendor overflow area, as well as a small building with indoor stalls that will operate a year-round market place.

A group of 25 volunteers forms the Our Goodness is Growing campaign, which coordinates the fundraising efforts. The campaign has raised more than $1.5 million in gifts and pledges for this project since its creation in 2010.

"We now hope that the greater community will embrace this campaign to help us raise the additional funds needed to complete this effort," Diane Griffin, chair of the Our Goodness is Growing campaign, said in a news release.

This is the first restoration for the Fulton Street Farmers Market since its founding in 1922.

Citizens can make a donation by visiting the Our Goodness is Growing website or at the Fulton Street Farmers Market.