There's a bill currently going through the state legislature that could have a real effect on Seattle's farmers' markets. House bill 3291 and Senate bill 6872 officially designate old school buildings that aren't being used as schools anymore as community assets, to be used for the good of local communities.
The University District Farmers' Market is hosted by one of these schools, the venerable University Heights Center. The Phinney Neighborhood Center, also a former school building, is home to a farmers' market as well. Many of these sites are already being used for the common good, the bill would just make it official, and it would provide some funding.
At present there isn't a single Seattle farmers' market that has a secure, permanent home. Some sites are threatened by developers; others simply have to be renegotiated year by year. This becomes a more pressing issue as land values increase, and workable sites become increasingly rare. There's been some movement towards a symbiotic relationship between the Parks Department and market administrators, which could open up all kinds of new options. This bill would be also be a big step in the right direction.
Please contact your state representatives, and let them know that this is important to us.
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