Barrie's mayor envisions a brand new use for the downtown bus terminal.
How about a year-round public market with a range of vendors and meeting places?
That's the possibility being explored and residents can add their two cents on the plan.
A working group is developing a business plan for site selection, construction, operating and programing of the market is seeking public input.
To have your say, complete the online survey at: surveymonkey.com/r/F99VBJW
The final concept, which will need Council approval, may or may not include the Barrie Farmers' Market that has been operating year-round at city hall for the past 20 years.
"I know that the Farmers' Market is happy using city hall," Lehman said.
"We will see what happens, but they are doing fantastic now."
The Barrie Farmers' Market began operating outside city hall in the summer months and inside the rotunda in winter. It has grown over the past 20 years to include over 50 vendors, primarily selling produce, baked goods, meat, arts and crafts.
The working group includes councillors Barry Ward and Rose Romita, along with representatives of the Business Improvement Area (BIA), Tourism Barrie, the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce, Barrie's Arts and Culture Council and city staff.
He says adapting the bus terminal would be a multi-step process that includes relocating Ontario Northland, GO and Greyhound buses away from the downtown site.
Step three would be a year-round, self-sustaining market there.
A study completed by the Resource Management Consulting Group indicated more than 70 per cent of Farmers' Market vendors said the City Hall location met their needs, Less than half were happy with the rotunda, however.
Access to locally-grown fruits and vegetables is identified as important feature of a downtown Barrie public market.
