Council OKs moving Broad Street Market lease extension to legislative agenda amid questions about long-term funding

Council members agreed to add Resolution 89 to the next legislative agenda to extend the Broad Street Market lease through Dec. 31 so the market alliance can use a state grant tied to a longer lease term.

Solicitor Grover told council the extension is a short-term step to satisfy grant conditions. He said the alliance had received a state grant to help renovate the stone building, which the administration described as covering "a few hundred thousand dollars," but warned that the full cost of bringing the historic building up to code and long-term capital needs will be significantly larger. Grover emphasized the city and market association must develop a long-term sustainability plan and suggested a stakeholder process starting in January to determine management, revenue sources and accountability mechanisms.

Council members pressed for more detail on how temporary vendor accommodations — notably a tent, heating systems and land leases put in place after the fire — affect city spending. The administration said those are separate leases and estimated one component at about $5,000 per month, and it said extending the formal lease would not change those temporary costs. Council asked staff to provide precise monthly and annual cost numbers for all temporary leases.

President Hill moved to add Resolution 89 to the next legislative session for a formal vote; council members also asked for reporting lines and a schedule for the January stakeholder meetings. No final long-term management plan was approved at the session.