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Commission extends Downtown Farmers Market on Harrison for one week, directs staff and DIB to craft rotation plan
Summary
After merchants and the Downtown Improvement Board expressed mixed views, the commission allowed the Downtown Farmers Market to remain on Harrison Avenue through the Flux Festival weekend (March 7) and directed staff and the DIB to return with an amended permit proposing a rotation on Harrison starting March 14; motion passed 4-0.
Panama City commissioners on Feb. 24 extended a temporary permit for the Downtown Farmers Market to remain on Harrison Avenue for an additional week and directed staff and the Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) to finalize a rotation plan and permit for the market starting March 14.
Staff said the market has approval to remain on Harrison between Oak and 4th through the end of the month; a permit submitted by the market/ DIB requests moving the market to blocks north of 4th starting March 14 for the remainder of the year. Staff and police advised that the Harrison stretch between Oak and 4th is tight for the market’s current size; staff recommended a short stay for the Flux Festival weekend (March 7) and that the commission reevaluate in October after several months of data.
Vendors and downtown merchants weighed in. Bill Davenport, representing the Farmers Market, said the market operator is “good with the rotation” on Harrison so long as the schedule is stable and predictable for vendors and customers. Downtown business owner Leanne Harding voiced concern that prolonged road closures harm destination retailers, saying in public comment that “7 months will kill another Christmas.” Catherine Shores of the DIB asked for equitable rotation so impacts are balanced across blocks.
The commission voted 4-0 to allow the market to remain on Harrison for March 7 (Flux weekend) and to have staff and DIB work with the market operator to present an amended permit and rotation schedule for approval, to begin March 14 and be reevaluated in October.
