Lake City Report -
Mar 18, 2011
Working hard on the
farmer's market
Columbia
County, FL (Posted Mar 18, 2011 10:55 pm )
by City Manager Wendell Johnson and
staff
From City Manager Wendell Johnson
Downtown Farmer’s Market
The City staff has been working for several
weeks to reestablish and greatly improve a
Downtown Farmer’s Market.
The planning process started last month with
the participation by representatives from the
University of Florida/IFAS, Columbia County
Extension Office, National Farmers Market
Coalition President, Columbia County Extension
Agent, Florida Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce
Director, and USDA Rural Development.
A key meeting was held this week with a
planning consultant and USDA representative to
discuss the reorganization and structuring of
the Farmer’s Market along with options for USDA
funding assistance.
Official arrangements are now underway
for a “kick-off” event planned for May 2011. The
City Council will be requested to consider a
planning proposal on April 4, 2011 for the
initial event and for continued Farmer’s Market
events throughout the spring and early summer
season.
Lake Shore Hospital Access Improvements
Staff has prepared the basic concept sketch
for a Franklin Street improvement giving access
from U.S. Highway 41 to the Lake Shore Hospital
entrance.
The concept sketch indicates that the cost
may be approximately $200,000 which is subject
to adjustment with the completion of the
Preliminary Design document. As previously
reported, the preliminary design should be
completed in about 30 to 40 days and there will
be continued information on this project for the
foreseeable future.
Lake City Museum Relocation
Coordination activity continues toward the
effort to relocate the museum to downtown Marion
Street. Staff met with a commercial property
owner to discuss interest in selling the
property and to address the acquisition
process. There will be continued information on
this project for the foreseeable future.
Columbia County Economic Development
Committee
The City received an invitation this week
from Commissioner Rusty DePratter, as Chairman
of the Columbia Economic Development Committee.
The letter advised Mayor Witt that as the
Economic Development Committee begins to discuss
the development of locations identified by the
Rudder Team as primary economic development
sites, knowledge of City’s utility capacity and
capabilities would be an asset. Mr. DePratter
stated, “We believe the City of Lake City’s
participation would improve the success of
Economic Development for Columbia County and the
City of Lake City.”
Participation by the City would not be as a
member of the Committee, but only as an
observer.
The next meeting of the Committee is April
13, 2011.
The City Staff Report is available in pdf format
here.
