Franklin County Farmers Market’s statement about the Downtown Master Plan
January 2019

Downtown redevelopment has the potential to transform downtown Frankfort, and the farmers market, like so many of us, is still processing the potential changes. Of course we like our current location, and it is hard to imagine changing that, but it is clear to us that the farmers market is one piece of the downtown redevelopment puzzle and that we benefit from a thriving downtown. We also know that the Market Pavilion is located on state property, and that over the long term neither we nor the City of Frankfort can keep the state from deciding to sell that land as surplus property.

The Franklin County Farmers Market is managed by an elected board of market members, and the market board is tasked with making decisions for the market and choosing how to communicate those decisions with the wider community. On the issue of the downtown master plan, we are concerned about the impact that downtown redevelopment may have on the market, and there are real questions about the proposed alternate location. However, through their approval of this plan, the city and county governments have made a clear commitment to having a vibrant farmers market as part of the fabric of downtown. That’s a goal that the market shares wholeheartedly.

Our market is thriving thanks to hard work and sustained support from local producers, market customers, local elected officials, city and county staff, community leaders, local businesses, schools, non-profits, and area residents. We are grateful to be deeply rooted in this amazing community, committed to ongoing participation in a civil and constructive conversation about downtown redevelopment, and eager to continue to feed this community for years to come.