Possible privitization of Hamilton Farmers’ Market

After spending more than $7 million to re-vitalize the Farmers Market, Hamilton city council says the new facility is lacking signs of life.

The continuing struggles of the market came before the general issues committee at city hall this afternoon, and councillors seemed to agree that they weren’t getting the biggest bang possible from their renovation dollars.

The market has seen virtually no increase in customer traffic since the make-over, and there’s been on-going friction between the city and several of the market tenants. the city meanwhile, is paying a manager, and half a dozen staff members full time wages, for a facility that’s open, only four days a week.

City staff will now look into possible options for privatizing the market, and report back to committee. Any recommended changes, will have to be approved by city council.

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