Downtown Arlington market drew about 19,000 visitors; staff proposes year‑round license and expanded footprint

John Chapman, long‑range planning manager for the City of Arlington, told the council on Oct. 14 that the downtown farmers market has been “very successful” this season, drawing about 19,000 visitors to the market area between March 29 and Sept. 28 and averaging roughly 44 vendors each week.

Chapman said data from Placer.ai and the market operator show significant year‑over‑year growth and high attendee satisfaction with vendor quality, product variety and organization. “Most [ratings] were very good,” Chapman said, and noted vendors typically include 55–60% food vendors and 32–38% local or Arlington resident vendors.

Citing that success, Chapman presented two main license‑agreement updates staff intends to propose: allow use of the licensed market area year round (hours would remain 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and give the department director administrative authority to approve a temporary expansion of the market footprint. He said the exhibit for the market would be updated to include four delineated expanded spaces to be used in special‑event permit applications so staff and operators can clarify exactly how much additional space an operator requests.

Abby, the operator for 4 Seasons market, confirmed vendors are enthusiastic and said she receives “15, 20 calls a week” from prospective vendors. She said a waiting list exists, that vendors have expressed interest especially around holidays, and that staff has done vendor outreach though she could not name the organization that performed every portion of the survey work.

Council members asked procedural questions about the expanded spaces. Chapman said expanded areas would be reserved for the market operator (first right of refusal) and could be approved through special‑event permits; the market operator would need to give five days' notice if seeking a footprint expansion and may apply in advance for multiple events.

Chapman also described related transportation and safety work near the market, including a successful Arlington Police Department digital message board at the market entrance, a planned power wash of the Front and Center Street intersection, and proposed sidewalk extensions near the train tracks to improve accessibility. He said those pedestrian improvements depend on funding and are currently targeted for 2026 or 2027.

Staff will return to the council on Nov. 4 with formal license‑agreement language and the updated exhibit for council review. No formal council action on the license amendments was taken during the afternoon work session.