This is the fifth article in a series that began on Friday, August 26. In early 2005, the results of a market study for the Columbia Market House were revealed.

In this week’s installation of this series, we list the consultant’s continuation of recommendations and suggestions for the Revitalized Columbia Public Market. Keep in mind this study was released in April of 2005 … so it’s been six years. Can you see what’s been incorporated?

In this study, one of the suggestions was to “Move the police station.”

“At some time the real estate occupied by the police will become better suited for retail or cultural uses. It has been well documented that markets make a place safer. So, as the downtown comes back to life, the police station ought to move to another central, though not so prime piece of real estate. The parking of police vehicles in the market square is also not the best use of the space.”

Another suggestion was to create a Market Square … a central gathering point for people to gather and congregate before, during and after visiting the Market House.

Parking

“Any market study that did not address parking would be deficient. Ideally, a market needs at least five spaces for every 1,000 square feet, which equates to 50 parking spaces for Columbia. There are about 30 metered spaces in the lot toady. The police are using an additional 20 undesignated spaces in the alley and undesignated access ways.”

[Note: Five plus years later, in the fall of 2010, the Council voted to approve no charge parking for Market House Customers in the mentioned lot,]

“The market is going to need more parking.”

“The consultant counted approximately 250 meters on downtown streets and there are another 150+ spaces in private commercial lots in the immediate downtown.”

“The logical conclusion is to consolidate and coordinate disparate pieces into a parking system that works for everyone.”

Farmer’s Markets are about Food!

“This is the core activity to get started. Reviving the tried and true market for local farmers and food producers is the logical first step to being the market house back to life.

“The mix of merchandise should be strong in produce, meats, poultry, baked goods, plants and flowers, dairy, eggs, specialty and ethnic foods. Some prepared foods (ready to eat at home or on site) can also round out the mid and are a growing category in markets today. There is more demand from the vendor side to sell prepared foods and it is incumbent on management not to go too far or allow too many prepared foods in the market. Prepared food vendors wares have a higher profit margin than fresh foods and they can afford to pay a higher rent. The temptation to rent space to make more money can be a trap if it leads to an imbalance in the merchandising mix. the majority of the floor space should be fresh foods.

“The market house should establish itself as the gastronomic, social and cultural center of Columbia. The Public Market House will be first and foremost a farmers market, with additional opportunities for other specialty markets, meetings, shows and civic events.

” To be successful, the market must first appeal to the locals. Columbia residents are the primary customer base and we find that most markets do 80 percent of their business within the primary trade area – usually a 10-15 minute drive.

“Primary selling points for non-locals will be good access, parking, value and experience. The latter (experience) is actually the most cited reason among people who shop at markets. This another reason why the market square piece is important.”