Barrie city council has given formal approval to convert the Transit Terminal building into a year-round public market.
The plan includes renovating the transit building on Maple Avenue and constructing a separate building for the Barrie Farmers' Market.
Council confirmed plans to hire a consultant team for about $100,000 for the project at its meeting Monday night - the next step in making the market a reality.
A report back to council is due before summer recess.
The concept features a fine food market, seven days a week with permanent vendors and an adjoining pavilion building for the Barrie Farmers' Market.
The two will be attached with areas outside for booths in the summer.
The building would still be a hub for Barrie Transit but Greyhound and Ontario Northland intercity travel would move to Allandale station. GO already runs its buses from there.
A target opening date is 2019.
Illuminate Barrie also got the thumbs up from council for two days in September.
The fireworks, artistic and cultural event to mark Canada's 150th birthday would replace Celebrate Barrie which is held in June.
