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Cleveland councilman wants West Side Market to be run by nonprofit

The suggestion by Councilman Kerry McCormack comes on heels of an exodus at the market.

CLEVELAND — A Cleveland councilman believes it is finally time for the city to let go of the West Side Market and let somebody else run it.

Councilman Kerry McCormack tweeted this week that the market “should be operated by a nonprofit.”

Some colleagues and business owners quickly agreed.

“We’ve got to support them in creating a more thriving market,” McCormack told 3News.

The tweet came on the heels of a heartbreaking Facebook post from Turczyk’s Meats, announcing that they would be closing due to rising rent, license fees and taxes.

The post referred to the city as “slum lords.”

McCormack believes the city already has enough to focus on.

“Keeping folks safe, making sure that the health and human services through the city are there, you know picking up the trash, filling the potholes,” he said.

Vendors have complained about several issues at the market recently, including leaky ceilings, flooded basements and electrical problems.

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The city has already allocated more than $5 million over the next three years for improvements.

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