Emily Lysen said the first community meeting about solidifying a permanent Lawrence Farmers Market location had an ideal setting: it was raining.
That Aug. 9 morning at the market demonstrated the need for an outdoor pavilion, Lysen said. Vendors lose 30% of their customers on a rainy day, and some vendors cancel in advance. Products can be damaged by weather conditions.
Lysen is the director of development for the Lawrence Farmers Market. She serves on the planning committee that’s seeking public input through December and will select the location by the end of this year.
The Lawrence Farmers Market began in 1976 as a pop-up. Since 2008, it has popped up on Saturdays in the 824 New Hampshire St. parking lots.
Lysen said a permanent location is necessary for stability and security amid growing pressures on downtown parking lots to develop. The Lawrence Farmers Market is a nonprofit organization supporting 75 vendors.
“We feel this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our city and county to build a community gathering space to celebrate local food and support the sustainability of our local food system and agricultural heritage,” she said via email.
A page on the farmers market’s website details the organization’s advocacy, and the barriers met, over the past decade. Lysen said the history of the project is important because the need for a permanent location is consistently considered in city and counting planning.
In the city’s Downtown Lawrence Plan adopted in 2021, several sites were identified as potential permanent locations for the market. Constant Park, north of Sixth Street between Tennessee and Kentucky streets, and the parking lot at the intersection of Vermont and Ninth streets were among those mentioned.
Lysen did not share any specific areas currently in the running. She said staying downtown is paramount, although the market requires at least 2 acres — a challenge to fit downtown.
Other top priorities include a pavilion, permanent signage, electricity, access to water and drainage, parking for vendors and customers, a community gathering area, restrooms, lighting and consistent stall sizes.
A permanent location could extend the market’s season, which currently runs from mid-April through late November. Other community events could be held there beyond the market’s seasons and hours of operation, which could bring in additional revenue.
“This place is for everyone, not just our vendors, and we want to hear from the community where they think a permanent location would fit best in downtown Lawrence and what amenities should be included with it,” Lysen said via email.
Lawrence City Commissioners indicated during a June meeting that they were interested in thinking creatively about ways to make the project happen.
Committee members will speak to the commissioners during their Tuesday, Sept. 2 meeting about the request for capital improvement plan funding. A rough estimate of $5.9 million encompasses all phases of the project. The meeting starts at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., and will be available via Zoom.
A town hall is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Carnegie Building’s Heritage Room, 200 W. Ninth St. in downtown Lawrence. The committee along with representatives of design consulting firm Clark Huesemann will give a formal presentation and welcome feedback from attendees.
Lysen said the planning committee does not anticipate the new location will result in increased vendor fees at this time, but fees each year have steadily increased based on the industry.
Learn more about the project at lawrencefarmersmarket.org/permanent-location. Find more upcoming engagement events at this link.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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