Big changes coming to Rochester Public Market

Attention shoppers, attention shoppers. Big changes are underway at the Rochester Public Market that you should know about, according to the February issue of Market Matters.

The $7.2 million project will replace one shed, add a new shed and relocate satellite restaurants into new structures.

Here's what's coming:

A new, improved Shed B: Shed B, or the Winter Shed (that's the only enclosed structure on site) will be torn down and replaced with a 13,000-square-foot enclosed shed. The new shed will have improved infrastructure (water, sewer, utilities, cooking and preparation facilities, heating/cooling), wider aisles and better energy efficiency. There will also be additional restrooms in this structure. The new Shed B should be completed by late 2016.

Brand-new Shed D: A new structure, Shed D, will be added between sheds A and C, providing 48 additional vending spaces. Shed D will be temporarily enclosed while Shed B is shut for demolition and reconstruction, providing those misplaced Shed B vendors a site to sell. Construction starts this spring.

New food stands: Scott's, Cherry's European and Juan and Maria's Empanadas will be moved to boxcar-shaped shipping containers. In other cities, such containers are being repurposed into shops, food stands and other small businesses. It is not yet decided if the new structures will be temporary or permanent for these restaurants.

More Saturday parking: The Public Market will make 135 more parking spaces available at the Freddie Thomas Middle School on Saturdays, providing shuttle service to this and other remote lots during peak market months (May through October).

Public Market hours of business will be not disrupted during construction, though locations of some vendors will change. The newsletter stressed that the Public Market's unique character will remain the same.

"The paramount goal of this project is to make these much needed additions and improvements without compromising --- but rather enhancing --- the character of the Market," the newsletter states.