Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2009- present)
In 2009, a year after the city of Cedar Rapids was hit with a massive flood that devastated ten square miles of the city’s downtown, a group of concerned citizens retained PPS to help create a new public market to bring life back to the city’s core and become a regional destination.
PPS conducted an in-depth analysis of the local food supply and community’s buying power. In addition, PPS assessed four potential locations using detailed site-selection criteria and recommended the most promising place for the new market.
Cedar Rapids' existing Downtown Farmers Market draws large crowds but only happens 7 times each year. The new market would build on this strong interest.
Feedback and support from the community and vendors is the cornerstone of any Placemaking effort and was accordingly an important foundation for this project, as well. As part of its data-gathering process, PPS facilitated a well-attended vendor informational meeting and also conducted a survey to gather feedback from potential vendors and customers. PPS produced a program of uses and activities ensuring year-round activity sustained by community buy-in.
The new market will consist of several complementary elements including a central Market House (with a café, permanent and temporary stalls, and a year-round market store). Since indoor markets often perform better with a flexible, well-programmed outdoor space, PPS recommendations also provided for a Market Yard with activities for children and families. In addition to providing fresh local food, plans for the new public market included strategies to keep it open throughout the year. To this end, PPS recommended on-site production for a tortilleria, bakery, and coffee roaster as well as restaurants, wholesale distributors, and a commercial kitchen.
PPS’ Plan for one version of the new market’s lay-out.
Currently, the newly formed Cedar Rapids City Market, Inc. has control of the recommended market site and is fund raising to enable the first wave of implementation based on PPS’ programming suggestions to grow the market gradually and establish it as a vital community center to bring life to a devastated downtown. PPS’ report now serves as an important foundation for local leaders as they implement their vision for a new public market that will be a central meeting place in downtown Cedar Rapids.
“Money is not the Issue:” Capital Fundraising Campaign Now Underway
The year-round market is expected to open in spring 2012 at the site of the former Quality Chef warehouse. The Cedar Rapids City Market board recently kicked off the Growing Cedar Rapids capital fundraising campaign to raise the $4.25 million needed to make this vision a reality. As the Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports, the campaign had already received $1.2 million in pledges from community members and corporate donors, enabling construction to begin this fall. PPS is currently working to advise architects on the design of the market.