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Salem Council to create Market on the Green
Council members will be briefed on the city’s comprehensive plan.
SALEM — Council has voted to create the Market on the Green after switching the planned location.
The market was to be at the site of the former Grand Theater on East State Street downtown that is now a vacant lot. The vacant land has been used during a number of public events in the city over the years.
But city officials said Tuesday that they had learned that the ownership of that property was not clear, which could create legal problems for the market.
Now, council has decided to move the location to a small city-owned landscaped area on East State between Troll’s Jewelry and MacMillan Office Supply.
Council made the decision after debating blocking off Broadway Avenue between East State and East Pershing streets to vehicles.
Councilwoman Rita O’Leary, R-3rd, said the market would hurt the businesses along Broadway by blocking vehicle-access to the stores.
Council also debated several using several city-owned parking lots that have some landscaping before going with the East State area. The small park area also is accessible to the disabled.
City officials also said the idea of having a farm market in the city had been tried about three years ago with little success.
John Furlong of Salem, however, believes the market idea will work.
He said so far, about 10 to 15 people plan to sell produce.
The first sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 17. A test run will take place during the same hours June 27.
Furlong said there had been a benefit to help start the market.
“It raised about $600,” he said. After expenses, there’s about $400 left.
He’s also planted hundreds of tomatoes and peppers at his home he expects to sell at the market.
Council also will hear economic- development plans on a bigger picture at 5:15 p.m. June 2.
Audrey Null, the executive director of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, said council will hear a presentation of its Salem Area Sustainable Plan.
The chamber and Ohio State University’s extension program worked for several years to create a workable structure to help increase the local economy.
In other developments, Councilman K. Bret Apple, D-at large, said city revenue is down 8 percent so far this year.
He suggested the finance committee should start meeting in midyear to start monitoring the city’s income. That would allow the city to react quickly if the economy worsens, Apple added.
wilkinson@vindy.com