Market House Key to Plans
By John Bartlett, Erie Times-News, Pa.
Jun. 25–MEADVILLE — A bit of Meadville’s future cloaked in its past could be unveiled Monday.
David O’Neil, an international market consultant, will present an overview of his final report on the historic Meadville Market House.
O’Neil said his study shows the Market House has tremendous potential and can be a success.
The French Creek Project, which manages the Market House, hired O’Neil to develop a comprehensive plan for reviving and successfully operating the Market House.
“I think they (FCP) have already started in that direction and that makes it easier for me,” O’Neil said.
Cherie Jones, owner of a local real estate firm and member of the Market House Authority, said a successful, vibrant Market House is key to having a successful, vibrant downtown.
“Without the Market House I don’t think we have a downtown anymore,” she said. “One of the reasons the Kepler and townhouses are successful is because the Market House is right there.”
Jones was referring to the Kepler Hotel condominiums and the townhouses in the Impact Meadville development.
Jones said she is anxious to hear what O’Neil proposes at his 7 p.m. presentation Monday in the Market House.
She noted that O’Neil took a previous look at the Market House a decade ago, and recommended a number of physical improvements and renovations, which the authority mostly accomplished.
The French Creek Project took over management of the Market House one year ago under a three-year agreement with the Market House Authority. The agreement includes an option for an additional two years.
FCP pays $1,200 a month to the authority under the agreement, and in turn collects rents from vendors and tenants.
FCP Executive Director Mark Gorman in a prior interview said the project wanted to take over the Market House, to revitalize it by returning it to its roots as a center for locally grown foods and related products. In turn, he said, it would create opportunities for local farmers.
Gorman and Alice Sjolander, FCP market manager, were both out of town Friday and could not be reached for additional comment.
“The French Creek Project understands the opportunity,”O’Neil said.
The Meadville Market House, built in 1870, is the oldest market house in continual use in Pennsylvania.
O’Neil’s study of the Market House examined a number of issues. Among them the existing conditions and operations, estimated demand for the market, interviews with customers and vendors, development of a conceptual layout and merchandise mix, and recommended capital improvements.
He also developed an implementation strategy for his recommendations.
“There are a million things we will go over,” O’Neil said. “What I don’t know and no one knows is how quickly this can happen. Nothing is automatic, but the potential and opportunity are there.”
—–
To see more of the Erie Times-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.GoErie.com.
Copyright (c) 2006, Erie Times-News, Pa.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.