Compromise map accommodates merchant concerns over all-day street closure
The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market will move its midweek market to Tuesday mornings, beginning May 29, under an agreement approved Monday by the Healdsburg City Council.
The market will set up along the Plaza Street and Center Street sides of Plaza Park. Those streets will be partially closed, with one-way traffic allowed north on Center and west on Plaza.
The streets will be closed all day from the end of May through the end of August. This will accommodate the market in the mornings and the summer “Tuesdays in the Plaza” concerts in the afternoons and evenings.
Under the plan approved by the council, the street closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. This allows the market to set up and operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. By the time the market vendors have packed up and left, it will be time to begin set up of the concerts and the street food vendors.
In addition to the market moving to Tuesdays, new features of the day will include bicycle valet parking for the concerts, which will begin in the afternoons and encourage concertgoers to get downtown on two wheels.
The original plan, to close Plaza Street completely all day to accommodate the market and pedestrian events, was strongly opposed by Plaza Street merchants, who said it would hamper deliveries and hurt their businesses.
At Monday’s council meeting merchants and market representatives spoke appreciatively of each others’ willingness to compromise.
“I’m really proud of this community and this council for accepting that the farmers’ market belongs on the Plaza,” said Healdsburg Mayor Brigette Mansell.
The Saturday farmers’ market will remain in the West Plaza parking lot and begins Saturday, May 5 at 8:30 a.m.
