City debates market site

SANDPOINT — After a recent growth spurt, the local Farmers’ Market may need some extra room to stretch its legs.

The real question is how precisely it will do that.

For the past two city council meetings, members have worked with market associates to pinpoint the best area possible to promote increased safety, ease of access and booth space. Possibilities include the closure of Oak Street or Main Street for five to six hours during the Saturday market operation or a move into a Panhandle State Bank-owned parking lot.

In the public comment period of the regular council meeting Wednesday night, residents turned out to express their support of the market expansion.

“I’m of the feeling that closing Oak Street might be the superior option,” market seller Jimmy Black said. “Closing that street allows the market to expand straight across.”  

However, council members wanted to ensure that nearby businesses remain unaffected by any actions they might take. Rather than making an immediate decision, they decided to form a committee consisting of council members Aaron Qualls and Shelby Rognstad, Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff, the Public Safety department and Farmers’ Market Board members.

Given their close proximity to the market’s location at Farmin Park, Connie’s and the La Quinta Inn were two businesses that could be particularly affected by a street closure.  

As a popular event that generated local business and attracted visitors, council members agreed that the market was worth supporting. However, they split on the nature of that support.

“I think this is a great opportunity to look at an Oak Street closure,” Rognstad said. “Again, we’re only taking about five hours once a week.”

However, others felt they still hadn’t parsed all the different angles in the situation.

“I’m not opposed to a street closure if that makes sense, but I don’t think we’ve explored all the options,” Councilman Justin Schuck said.

Once the newly-created committee has had time to explore every factor in the Farmers’ Market’s expansion, they will return to the council in a month for a final decision.