TRAVERSE CITY — The Sara Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City and the parking lot around it are up for an overhaul.
On Monday, city commissioners could approve two contracts, one to repave the parking lot and build a new pavilion for market vendors, and another to manage the project, meeting documents show. They’ll vote on paying Elmer’s Crane & Dozer $3,668,185 for construction, and $83,262 to Beckett & Raeder for project management. Both include contingencies — 10% for construction, 20% for management.
Traverse City Downtown Development Authority would repay the city $2,954,217 out of TIF 97 funds, which the authority manages.
Along with a redesigned parking lot with better stormwater management, contractors will build a 310-foot-long pavilion over a raised aisle between rows of parking. The timber-framed structure with a skylighted steel roof would be the centerpiece of a market that could host up to 113 vendors, including 59 under the pavilion and 76 with adjacent parking spaces.
Contractors would begin in July shortly after the National Cherry Festival wraps up and finish by November. Early planning for the structure dates back to the origins of TIF 97 in 1997.
Commissioners on Monday also will take up several outstanding issues, including the future of two city-owned buildings.
They’ll consider whether to renew Crooked Tree Art Center’s Carnegie Building lease through October 2027 and discuss how to find a new tenant for the Con Foster Museum. The latter most recently housed Bijou by the Bay, Traverse City Film Festival’s satellite theater.
Commissioners also will discuss a transitional plan for the city’s legal representation. City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht will step down at the end of June, and the city could seek an outside firm’s help with legal matters for 18 to 24 months so commissioners can make long-term plans for legal representation.