CLEVELAND — The vision for the future of the West Side Market was laid out to its tenants by the city of Cleveland on Wednesday night.
The outlined changes include a food hall with prepared food businesses, relocating produce vendors, and refurbishing the market's basement.
“For the new nonprofit manager to succeed, the City needs to address outdated infrastructure and basic accessibility issues like elevators to bathrooms,” said Jessica Trivisonno, the Bibb administration's senior strategist for the West Side Market in a release. “That’s why the plan starts with basement renovations, which are not seen by the public but critically important to the success of the merchants and the Market.”
The Bibb administration has proposed to use $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the market. The city says it will soon introduce legislation to appropriate the ARPA money "to renovate the market’s 30,000 square foot basement, repair its roof and facade, add air conditioning, and upgrade the heading, electrical, and water infrastructure."
But the city's vision for the market's future goes far beyond what the ARPA funds will pay for.
During its presentation to vendors, the city unveiled plans that would call for the relocation of produce merchants into a renovated East Arcade, with "proper" plumbing, heating and air conditioning. The city believes the move would "substantially reduce food waste and positively impact produce quality."
The proposal also would convert the market's North Arcade into a food hall with 12 independent prepared food businesses and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The market's mezzanine, overlooking the market hall, would become public seating and an event space, complete with a hands-on teaching kitchen.
“These proposed renovations preserve West Side Market’s core shopping experience while meeting customer demand for food to eat in the Market and making West Side Market an even more valuable resource for the city. The proposed changes reduce vacancies, increase operating revenues, and expand the diversity of products and businesses at the Market,” said Ted Spitzer of Market Ventures, Inc., the consulting firm that is developing the Market’s masterplan.
City leaders say the core strategies of its plan for the market aim to:
- Prioritize the Market’s traditional fresh foods and specialty food offerings
- Support long-term, multi-generational businesses
- Expand product offerings to include more ethnic specialties and prepared food and beverages
- Diversify merchants to better represent the region’s racial and ethnic composition
- Expand food production within the Market
- Introduce technologies and merchandizing strategies that better serve customers
- Increase the availability and promotion of local foods, including participation of regional farmers
- Become the preeminent place to learn about and celebrate food
The Bibb administration says renderings and cost estimates for physical upgrades and operating plans for the West Side Market will be released later this spring with the completion of the second phase of its masterplan.
The proposed changes comes as the market transitions into control by the nonprofit Cleveland Public Market Corporation, which was announced in February and is in the process of hiring an executive director.
“The City will always own West Side Market and we are responsible for preserving this gem for future generations,” added Bibb. “The plans previewed this week will set the Market on the course for operational self-sufficiency, but implementing the entire proposed plan will require funds beyond the city’s investment. We look forward to partnering with stakeholders who share our commitment to West Side Market.”