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Warrenville seeks sponsors for popup marketplace in Leon Schmidt Park after $25,000 DuPage grant
Summary
City staff described a plan to establish a popup marketplace at Leon Schmidt Park, supported by a $25,000 DuPage County grant to bring electric service and fund two vendor units; staff asked permission to pursue private sponsorship and bank partnerships to expand to an eventual eight-unit market and pavilion, with a rough full-site estimate near $300,000.
Warrenville's Community and Economic Development Department outlined July 14 a proposal to establish a popup marketplace at Leon Schmidt Park and asked the Committee of the Whole to authorize staff to pursue private sponsorships and bank partnerships to support buildout and vendor services.
Community and Economic Development Director Amy Emery said the city received a $25,000 grant from DuPage County intended to help bring electrical service to the site and allow placement of two vendor units as a physical "soft launch." "We have, as you know, received a grant for $25,000 from DuPage County to help us launch and kickstart this market," Amy Emery said. She added that Erra Engineering donated $5,000 of engineering time to prepare site layouts and that the project team envisions ultimately hosting eight vendor units, a potential pavilion and complementary park amenities.
Amy told the committee staff estimate full buildout costs for patio, pavilions and temporary restroom facilities could be in the rough range of $300,000 but said that private sponsorships, county grant dollars and in-kind donations could reduce the City's share. The proposal includes a tiered sponsorship model (gold/silver/bronze) that would allow banks and other private partners to support vendor mentoring, financial-literacy programming and physical site improvements.
Councilors asked about vendor selection, seasonality, utilities, parking and restroom access; Amy said staff will develop vendor application rules this winter, plan a soft preview launch in October or November, and pursue planning/zoning entitlements next month. Alderman Kenberg moved and Alderman Davalos seconded a motion directing staff to pursue private sponsorship support for the popup marketplace and other Leon Schmidt Park enhancements; the motion passed by voice vote.
Staff will return with program details, procurement-compliant sponsorship agreements if applicable, and any needed budget proposals for Council consideration.
