A long-planned Madison Public Market has shifted locations, reverting the project's status back to renovation rather than new construction.
Previously, the city placed a bid to construct the market along East Washington Avenue, though it that bid is being dropped, according to Anne Reynolds, chair of Madison's Public Market Development Committee.
The new site is situated on the corner of North First and East Johnson Streets, across from the previous location. The Public Market is now proposed to be held in what is now the Fleet Services building. As the property is already owned by the city, costs are lower and new proposals include a hotel, residential units and commercial spaces to be developed by private developers.
Officials said lack of agreement for land price and cost of securing tax incremental financing for potential private projects within the market would have cost well over the proposed project budget of $13.2 million, causing the change in location.
"This shift in our plans is exactly what we need to develop one of the country's best public markets,” Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said. “This change will better enable us to build the dynamic, diverse public market that our community wants and deserves."
The Madison Public Market project is expected to break ground at the new location in summer 2019. The plans for the building include an indoor hall for vendors selling locally produced food and other goods, an outdoor patio area with seating and a small stage, a culinary workshop and a children's play area.
