Milton Market organizers ask city to formalize road closures, porta‑potty and advertising help

Allison Hartman, organizer of the Market of Milton, told the City Council on April 8 that the weekly Thursday market’s move to a higher‑traffic location improved vendor sales and attendance but created new logistical needs that she said require city help.

Hartman said the market, held Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. year‑round, moved from Jernigan Landing to the “Turtle” parking lot and nearby private grass last winter after vendor complaints about low turnout. She told council the relocation, coupled with closing a short section of Elmira Street for market events, produced markedly higher customer traffic and better vendor receipts.

“We started really struggling…so we went to Turtle in January, and the amount of traffic has been amazing,” Hartman said. She asked the city to formalize a recurring special‑event permit that would allow consistent, week‑to‑week road closures, and to help secure a restroom solution and greater promotion for the market.

Vendor representatives said the relocation has made the market financially viable for some. “Milton is home to me…It has helped me meet other people in the community. It makes my car payment every month,” said Vicky, a vendor who described herself as a long‑time Milton resident.

Hartman outlined three specific needs: (1) formal permission and an operational plan for temporary road closures on Elmira Street (and an alternate concept on Santa Rosa Street) that would leave a lane available for emergency vehicles; (2) a reliable restroom option for vendors and attendees, either via a porta‑potty rental program or negotiated access to nearby businesses; and (3) greater city assistance with advertising on social media and through permitted billboard partnerships.

City Manager Ed Spears told the council he would meet with Hartman and city staff to draft a standing special‑event permit that addresses road closures, porta‑potties and operational details and then return to the council. "I recommend that I sit down with Ms. Sarman and Jay and we put together a new special event permit, ongoing 1 week after week that details the road closures and porta potties and how that would work and we bring that back to you," Spears said.

Public‑works and emergency‑services review was raised as a necessary next step. Councilmember discussion centered on safety and logistics: Councilman Leake asked staff to confirm whether tents and vendor setups would still allow emergency access; Spears said public works, fire and police would be involved in those reviews.

Hartman and other market volunteers also asked the council to consider modest vendor fee adjustments to cover a regular porta‑potty rental (vendors currently pay a $15 fee per market, she said) and to help with advertising. One market organizer reported growth in vendor applications — she said the market’s network grew from about 800 approved vendors to nearly 1,400 across the operators’ markets — and said visibility was the principal constraint the city could help address.

No formal council vote or ordinance was taken on the market that night; council members directed staff to draft the recurring special‑event permit and to coordinate with public safety and property owners on closures and restroom logistics. Spears said staff would return to council with a proposed permit.

Why this matters: the market generates weekly economic activity for small vendors and the council’s decisions on permitting, street closures and services such as restrooms and promotion will determine whether the event can expand safely and sustainably.

Hartman encouraged council members and residents to attend the market and to use city channels to publicize it; she said it runs Thursdays, 5–8 p.m.