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The city of Kalamazoo plans to purchase the property at 1310 Bank St. with plans to expand the Kalamazoo Farmers Market in the coming years.

(Alex Mitchell | Kalamazoo Gazette)

KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Farmers Market could soon expand along Bank Street if the Kalamazoo City Commission signs off on the purchase of an adjacent property later this month.

Commissioners are being asked to approve a $130,000 purchase of a property at 1310 Bank St. that would be used to expand the adjacent farmer's market operated by People's Food Co-op at 1204 Bank St., according to a memo provided to the commission by City Manager Jim Ritsema. The proposal went before the commission for a first reading Monday before the group is asked to formally approve the purchase during its June 15 meeting.

The property, currently occupied by Abundant Faith Church, features a large brick and concrete building with a newer pole barn-style garage and attached to the rear that was originally constructed as a bowling alley before later being occupied by MRC industries, the memo said. The structure suffered some flood damage in 2008 and was purchased by the church in 2011.

If the purchase is approved, city officials will then perform a detailed review of the building's potential uses to determine if the building and garage will be used by the farmers market or if the building will be demolished to make room for additional farmers market facilities.

The move is a direct result of a 2012 update to the farmers market master plan that calls for extensive improvements to the market in the coming years, the memo said.

In January, the church entered into an "option to purchase" agreement with the Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority for a purchase price of $130,000, the memo said. The Land Bank later agreed to assign the option to purchase to the city of Kalamazoo.

The purchase price is below the former fair market value assigned to the property by the city assessor and below a recent broker's opinion obtained on the property, the memo said.

Funds for the purchase will be drawn from the 2015 Capital Improvements Program.

People's Food Co-op pays the city $17,000 annually to operate the market on Bank Street. The co-op manages the market, including farmers, produce dealers, artisans and specialty food vendors. The city owns and maintains the 4.12-acre lot and its structures at 1204 Bank St. The three-year contract runs through 2015, with the option for three one-year renewals.

Alex Mitchell is a reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Email him at amitche5@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.