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City hears plan for Fort Myers Farmers Market in Culinary District; operator seeks limited fee waivers
Summary
Staff presented a proposal for a Saturday farmers market to be operated by Local Roots LLC, targeting a Jan. 17 opening and requesting city support for parking/road closures, restrooms, and a multi-year operating agreement; staff has forwarded a draft contract to legal.
Steve Weathers, economic development director, described a proposal to establish the Fort Myers Farmers Market in the Culinary District operated by Local Roots LLC and presented operational and site concepts.
"The Fort Fort Myers Farmers Market in the heart of the Culinary District is what we would be titling this," Weathers said, describing a Saturday market running 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with vendor setup early in the morning. The operator is asking for limited city support — portable restrooms, trash receptacles, assistance with street closures and consideration of a waiver for an application/permit fee (roughly $400) — and is seeking a five‑year agreement with three one‑year extensions.
Weathers said staff has sent a preliminary draft agreement to legal and expects feedback in about 10 days. Council members emphasized location and vendor count as key success factors; staff suggested a shorter initial contract with an out clause tied to vendor retention could preserve flexibility.
