Column: Integrating the Farmers Market with Local Business Community

[Editor's note: A draft of the letter below was signed, within the first week of the Albany , by 12 of the 13 businesses from the block where the market takes place weekly. It was submitted to the city in May. It has been edited slightly for clarity. See the original documents as PDFs to the right.]

Let's bring commerce together, so it can benefit the whole community.

is an outdoor business new to our space on Solano Avenue, between San Pablo Avenue and Adams Street, in Albany.

We are happy to have them here. However, there is a visibility issue.

Initially, the first week the market opened, it parked a box truck directly in front of a merchant window. The only view to be seen from inside was of this big truck with graffiti tagged on it.

From outside, this business was completely hidden. Integrating business where it impacts everyone positively is the goal. Let's improve the space with an adjustment that truly re-distributes visibility.

The improvements proposed are completely reasonable, socially responsible, and aesthetically appealing, and consistent with other locations combining building merchants with roving markets.

Local businesses on Solano Avenue, within Adams Street and San Pablo Avenue, have been here ranging from 12 to 36 years. We are primarily a service block. We rely on visibility through commuters and walk-up traffic.

Awareness of this location for services was the incentive to bringing the into our area. A business assessment was made in allowing them the use of our street.

We made concessions with parking. We don't mind walking a bit further. Our customers park further away as well. However, the market's use of parking convenience is what negatively impacts visibility.

This matters, as this part of the avenue doesn't get a lot of attention. Commuters are detoured away, north on Adams Street, from 1:30-8 p.m., a big chunk of time. Re-distributing visibility is positive to livelihoods.

Currently, Farmers Market does not block visibility at El Cerrito Plaza; Shattuck Avenue & Rose Street; South Berkeley Derby Street at MLK; Berkeley Center Street at MLK; or Kensington Circle.

They do not include their parked vehicles as part of their workspace. Consistency is desired and reasonable.

* Street and sidewalk should be a clear and open thoroughfare between local merchants and Farmers Market. No vehicles; and access in the event of emergency.
* Street should be open to the shoppers entirely. This encourages strolling, and discovery of local businesses who have been here for many years.
* Let's extend the street's width. Without vehicles, approximately 14 feet opens up, creating an aesthetic appeal.
* Farmers Market is not a street fair like . The Solano Stroll occurs one day out of every year, celebrating local business and the community, and without vehicles.

The city's approval of Farmers Market called for a review to be performed, within the opening months of the market.

We hereby request that the city perform a review of the impact on the adjacent businesses and emergency vehicle access vendor parking.

We live and work in a neighborhood that is noble and responsible when it is well informed of the details that impact everyone.

In business, the best choice you can make is where you set up "shop." The old saying in business is: Location, Location, Location. Re-distributing visibility will positively impact livelihoods.

May all who gather here together prosper.