Algood Weighing Options After Rejecting Farmers Market Bids

Algood city officials and council members will weigh their options after turning down bids from developers for a farmers market.

Councilman Luke Hill was surprised to see the lowest bids come back at just under $200,000.

“These are a little higher than what I anticipated,” Hill said. “As great of an idea a farmers market is, these are kind of shocking to me. I mean that’s the price of a brand new home. We have to be good stewards of the dollar here and I’m just not so sure. $200,000 for a farmers market and it’s not enclosed. This was surprising to me.”

Hill said despite the high price tag associated with the building, people have told him the idea of a farmers market shouldn’t be abandoned.

“I’ve had people come up to me and say a farmers market is a great idea,” Hill said. “I don’t think we should reject the whole concept in total. There’s got to be something out there. $200,000 is a tremendous amount.”

City Administrator Keith Morrison said there’s the possibility a temporary farmers market could be set up in the city hall parking lot if needed.

“We have some alternatives where we can allow them to set up in the city hall parking lot or maybe at the park and just sell out of the back of a truck,” Morrison said. “They can put up a popup tent or something of that nature. The permitting process is in place. Of course, it’s a free permit, but we have the rules in place to allow that.”

City Council voted unanimously to reject the bids proposed to the city for the farmers market. City officials will weigh their options in the meantime.