KALAMAZOO, MI — The Kalamazoo Farmers Market is getting more parking spaces and more spots for vendors, under a plan that was presented to the city commission Monday, Sept. 16.

The city commission approved a $37,000 purchase of a property and accepted a $500,000 grant during its Monday, Sept. 16, and both items are related to an updated layout and improvements planned for the market.

The work at the site on Bank Street near Collins Street is expected to begin in 2020, Kalamazoo Director of Parks & Recreation Sean Fletcher said.

He showed a rendering of what the updated footprint will look like.

Improvements will allow for 350 paved parking spaces, 40% more vendor spaces, new indoor facilities, and updated activity spaces and a play area, the plan states.

Work on the Farmers Market will include complete refurbishing of the existing vendor sheds and the addition of a “substantial new shed” along the west ends to provide for new vendor space. A new stage and bathrooms will be built where those amenities currently stand at the center of the sheds. The south common area near where a future activity and work space could be located will receive a playground for children and families, and the Farmers’ Market will be linked to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail for the first time, the plan states.

“Through a phased approach, these improvements will bring to life the community’s vision for the Farmers Market as documented in the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Master Plan, Edison Neighborhood Plan, and Parks and Recreation Department’s Five-Year Plan,” the recommendation submitted to the commission states.

A recommendation to the commission to approve the action calls it the first significant improvement to the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market in over a generation.

The $500,000 grant is from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, according to the city agenda packet.

The city commission approved the purchase of 636 Lake Street, which is needed to realign Bank Street, Monday.

An average of 4,585 customers attend weekend market days, contributing to the $1.65 million in estimated 2018 sales, according to a recommendation made to the city. The average customer spends $34 on that visit; and for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays within the community. Visitors are currently served by over 200 vendors, 91 of which are women- or minority-owned. These vendors in turn employ 978 people, the recommendation states.

The city commission previously purchased multiple city lots toward the goal of realigning Bank Street.