Northville Farmers Market Secures Permanent Home with New Partnership

Northville Farmers Market Finds a Permanent Home!

Exciting news for the residents of Northville! A partnership between the city and Northville Township is paving the way for the Northville Farmers Market to finally have a permanent home. The potential site, a delightful 3.8-acre parcel, could take on the name “Northville Commons Park”, designed to host not just the farmers market but also festivals and community events throughout the year!

A Bright Future Ahead

This partnership is a fantastic move for both municipalities as they aim to finalize a $2.5 million deal for the old McDonald Ford property located on Seven Mile Road, just west of Main Street, sometime this month. Even though the property falls within the city’s boundaries, Northville Township’s Supervisor, Mark Abbo, expressed how vital this collaboration is for the wider community.

During a meeting on November 11, Abbo remarked, “We’re investing in the City of Northville because a healthy, vibrant downtown area is important to Northville Township and adds value to Northville Township.” This vision of connectivity and shared success is what made the council unanimously approve the purchase!

Taking a Step Back in Time

This isn’t the first time the city looked into making this property the new home for the Northville Farmers Market. Last year, the market had to move from its former location at Seven Mile and Center Street due to redevelopment plans for the old Northville Downs property. In 2022, the city attempted to purchase the McDonald Ford site for up to $1 million, but those plans fell through this year when they couldn’t strike a deal with the owner.

However, thanks to collaborative negotiations, both the city and township landed back at the table. Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull expressed gratitude for this new partnership, saying the future Commons Park has the potential to be a vibrant community hub. It’s not only going to serve as a permanent farmers market, but it could also host festivals, movies in the park, parades, car shows, and so much more!

Checks and Balances

As part of this deal, the city and township will each purchase one parcel of the land for a combined total of $2.5 million. After the acquisition, the next step will be to merge the two parcels. The Northville Farmers Market, operated by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, worked closely with several groups to find a suitable new home. A task force aided in the advisory process, ensuring all the bases were covered.

Planning consultant Gary Roberts mentioned that a thorough assessment was completed by a team of engineers and environmental specialists to ensure the property is safe for its planned use. With a history as a car dealership and previously an orchard, environmental concerns were raised, but Roberts assured that most of the site will be paved, minimizing any direct contact with contaminants.

Financial Preparations Ahead

To prepare the property for an interim farmers market by May 2025, it’s estimated that $90,000 to $100,000 will be needed, along with an additional $4 million for a future permanent setup, which could include utilities and an enclosed building. Turnbull reassured residents that no new taxes would be implemented to fund this exciting venture.

Looking to the Future

Support from the council members is unanimous, with an eye towards making this space beneficial year-round. Council member Andrew Krenz expressed the importance of designing a structure that can be used in all seasons, maintaining high utilization rates.

Fellow council member Barbara Moroski-Browne did express some concern over the higher-than-expected final cost of the property but remains committed to the project, stating, “It’s the dirt we have before us; the location has been vetted for several years. This is the place to do it.”

Exciting times are ahead for Northville, as this partnership holds the promise of delivering a community center that can be enjoyed for years to come!