Council discusses traffic-calming options at downtown farmers market after near-miss reports
Summary
A council member raised safety concerns about vehicle traffic through the farmers market and asked staff to explore traffic-calming measures, including partial road closure to create a pedestrian area between market and parking lot.
A council member told the City Council they had received reports of near-miss incidents at the city’s farmers market where a roadway runs between the market’s vendor area and an adjacent parking lot, and asked public-works staff to explore traffic-calming options.
The council member said a citizen called after witnessing close calls and suggested closing the road during market hours. The member said closing the segment between two entrances to create a pedestrian area might force drivers to navigate the parking lot instead of passing through the vendor area, though she acknowledged that change could shift conflicts into the lot: "They might be hitting somebody in the parking lot that's walking around," a colleague said during the discussion.
Public-works staff and other council members said they will consult the farmers market committee and public-works staff about possible measures. Among options raised were temporary closures during market hours or other traffic-calming measures, with staff asked to research solutions and gather input from market organizers.
Why it matters: the farmers market is a public event with families and pedestrians; council members said they wanted to prioritize patron safety and discuss options with organizers before proposing operational changes.
No formal action was taken; council members asked staff to consult the farmers market committee and public-works staff and return with ideas.
Ending: The council member said she will bring the topic to the farmers market organizers and work with public works to explore safety improvements.
