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Resident accuses DDA of mismanaging Grand River Farmers Market and requests investigation
Summary
A public commenter alleged the Downtown Development Authority and market management excluded vendors, suppressed negative information and left the DDA $23,150 in the red, and asked the council to investigate alleged mismanagement and lost revenue potential at the Grand River Farmers Market.
During public comment, resident Keith Stellar said he reviewed the DDA’s FY24–25 budget and found the DDA "in the red by $23,150," and he argued the Grand River Farmers Market was being mismanaged.
Stellar estimated the market could generate roughly $40,000 from standard Friday/Saturday vendor operations and said added market days and an indoor market could produce nearly $60,000 in potential revenue. He accused management of excluding vendors based on personal feelings, failing to implement checks and balances such as a vetting process, and censoring social media. He said these practices have suppressed facts and damaged potential revenue.
"With proper management of the space and vendors, the Grand River Farmers Market Pavilion has space for 50 vendors... With each vendor being charged $400 for the season... That comes to 40,000 in potential revenue," Stellar said.
No DDA representative spoke during the public comment period to rebut the allegations. Council did not take immediate action at the meeting; Stellar requested that council investigate financial management and governance at the DDA and market.
