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City staff, operator propose weekly farmers market for downtown Culinary District
Summary
Staff proposed a Saturday farmers market to run 9 a.m.–1 p.m. operated by Local Roots LLC; council supported moving forward but asked for a shorter initial term, vendor‑count performance clauses, careful site selection and review of fiscal and public-safety impacts.
City economic-development staff pitched a Fort Myers Farmers Market in the Culinary District to be operated by Local Roots LLC, with Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and a proposed opening date during the season to maximize vendor and customer turnout. Steve Weathers, economic development director, said Local Roots runs other markets in the region and that the city would coordinate closures, portable restrooms and safety with public works, fire and police.
Weathers said the operator requested a five-year agreement with three one-year extensions, but council members urged a shorter initial term or performance clauses tied to vendor counts and attendance. Staff said legal has a draft agreement under review and that the city could include termination or minimum-vendor clauses and consider waiving certain permit fees to support launch.
Council discussion emphasized site selection and customer flow to ensure adjacent businesses see benefits; councilors also asked for clarity on any fiscal impact to the city for services like sanitation and police presence. Staff said the operator would handle recruitment, setup and cleanup but the city would provide or coordinate infrastructure supports.
What’s next: staff will refine the draft agreement with legal, consider a shorter initial term or performance benchmarks, and return to council with a formal agreement for approval.
