Farmers market moves to the new square by the footbridge
Vendors say the old site on Mill Street had outgrown its space
The Saturday farmers market will move to the new square at the foot of the estuary bridge from next week, leaving the Mill Street car park where it has been held since 2011.
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The proposal had stalled twice before, most recently in 2024, when a change in leadership at the Harbor Authority put several projects on hold. This time, officials say, the funding is secured and the contracts are signed.
The decision follows months of public meetings in Port Ellery, where residents pressed officials for a clearer timeline and a firm budget. Council members said the final plan reflects most of that feedback, although two of the seven seats voted against it.
"We heard the same thing at every meeting: people want to know what happens next and who is accountable," said Priya Natarajan, who chairs the committee that reviewed the proposal. "This document answers both questions."
What vendors expect
Officials at the Harbor Authority said the change will be phased in over the next eighteen months, starting with the neighborhoods closest to the waterfront. A second phase, covering the rest of Marrow County, is expected to begin next spring.
Not everyone is convinced. A group of business owners along Front Street argued that the schedule leaves too little time to adapt, and asked for a longer transition period. The request will be discussed at the next public session.
The numbers behind the plan are modest by regional standards, but significant for a city the size of Port Ellery. According to figures released this week, the program will cost about $1.8 million over three years, with roughly a third covered by state grants.