Document text
Growers Market needs more space By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- Faced with more would-be sellers than space, the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market wants to expand its Tuesday farmer's market in Ashland. But just where the market should grow is up in the air. In recent years, growers have sold their wares under the viaduct on Water Street, filling a city-owned parking lot and spilling out onto sidewalks. Market manager Janet Bierbower says she's had to maintain a waiting list for people wanting space at the market. She's also had to ask crafters to step out of the market in favor of fresh fruit and vegetable growers. Even with these limits, the market has expanded outside of the area permitted by the city's conditional use permit and the city has said it must stop. The group recently applied to the city to close down a portion of Water Street from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday from April through October. Opposition from neighboring business owners over parking prompted the market to postpone Planning Commission consideration of the request, although it was supported by the historic commission Wednesday. "We know it (parking) is a problem," said Bierbower. "We're looking at finding alternative locations." So far, the group has been negotiating with an Ashland church for the possible use of its facilities. The size and location of the market has been criticized by Plaza merchants who argue the vendors and their customers eat up scarce parking resources in downtown. Plaza Mall Manager Stefanie Claycomb wrote to the city opposing the potential expansion, saying her tenants and customers often can't find a parking spot in the mall's private parking lot on Tuesdays. "I do not want to have to close the parking lot on Tuesdays, hire an attendant and have people towed," wrote Claycomb. "I'd end up being the `pit bull of the parking lot,' a role I do not relish." The market's board of directors is meeting this weekend to decide whether to take a stand on Water Street or find another location. Regardless of its decision, the market will open for the season April 4 in Ashland on Water Street. In Medford, the market opens on the east side of the Emporium building March 30. The Jacksonville market opens May 6 on C Street next to the Southern Oregon Historical Society's Jacksonville Museum. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA