Hamilton Farmers' Market & Central Library | ? | 6 fl | Complete

[SteelTown]

To market with a makeover
Big plans for making site more palatable

Plans to revamp the Hamilton Farmers’ Market — Canada’s oldest indoor market — include restoring the 1929 Birk’s clock, now outside Jackson Square, to make it a centre piece for a new gathering and activity area.

The plans for reconstruction by early 2009 are in two reports going to city council’s emergency and community services committee Tuesday. The downtown market project includes electrical, plumbing, window and structural upgrades as well as expanded special events areas for more cooking, nutrition and health classes and demonstrations, as well as live entertainment.

The city, which owns and operates the market, is hiring a project manager, who will then hire an architect for the job, says Anna Bradford, the city’s manager of culture. The remake is another stimulus for attracting more people downtown.

“It’s a great opportunity for downtown revitalization,” says Bradford, who is particularly pleased the plans call for it to be more of a gathering place.

This week’s opening of a new monthly outdoor market of artisans, artists, musicians and organic farmers on James Street North complements the Farmers’ Market nicely, she says.

“That whole James Street North area is fabulous … the more you make it (the area) a people place, the better it is.”

Bradford said the city is considering creating a space for weekend stalls for farmers who don’t have time to be at the market four days a week. There has been some criticism that the market vendors are no longer farmers.

Key design features include removing the ramps, redesigning the main entrance to give shoppers easier access to all levels, opening the market directly onto York Boulevard with public gathering places fronting the street, adding retail space on a new mezzanine and new elevators.