There has been a lot of activity at the corner of Grant Avenue and Main Street in Ulysses of late. Activity that, when completed, is for the community.
Construction began on a structure on what is known as the Floadene Hertel Market Square. The structure is being made possible through a donation Hertel, who passed away in 2013, had made to Grant County Senior Center Inc.
"We are utilizing her generous donation she left when she passed away to make this come to fruition," explained Grant County Senior Center Director Nancy Borthwick. "We also received monies from the City and a little money from Eco Devo."
Borthwick had appeared before Ulysses City Council at their last regular meeting and requested $20,000 for the project. Councilman Mark Diaz voiced concern about protecting the City in Borthwick's proposal.
"We are awaiting the approval of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) - it's at the lawyers now, and then I will present it to the council on Wednesday of next week. I will go back to the council's last meeting and finalize everything after that," Borthwick said.
What is the structure for?
One of the purposes for the structure is the Farmer's and Maker's Market on Tuesdays. However, that will not be the structure's only purpose.
"We will move part of the market to that location," Borthwick said. "However, it is not specifically being constructed for the market. We are going to utilize that space just the same as we did before we had any structure go up there."
Borthwick said the structure will be available for use during other events in Ulysses, such as the Safety Fest, Christmas Parade, Main Street Blaze, Spring Fling, Summer Bash, and Fall Fest.
"Whatever someone wants to have downtown," Borthwick said. "We want to be able to utilize that space as well. It will give us a space where we have some shade and some protection from weather."
The only wall the structure will have, according to Borthwick is on the north side.
"What I would like to do is similar to the dairy barn east of town, where if the weather starts coming in, they pull shades down," Borthwick said. "I haven't quite figured out the logistics on that yet, but would like to see some shades or something to keep the wind from blowing in and rain from coming in."
Borthwick said she would eventually like to see the structure include heaters.
"So maybe we could have a winter market," she added. "(For example) I would lilke to do a Halloween market - I think that would be fun."
When will the structure be ready to use?
"They told me five to seven days," Borthwick said. "However, they are down some people right now, so it is going to take a little longer. We would like to have a new grand opening of the market at the end of the month if we can get it all completed."
Once the structure is complete, Borthwick said the builders will add concrete.
"The building will be completely wrapped," she added. "It will be gray and black in color. There is a piece of trim on the bottom of the poles where the cement will go up to. It will have a slight rise to it so anyone in a wheelchair or a walker, or who has a stroller will be able to get in and out of the building easily."
Cost for the structure,by the time it is all said and done Borthwick said, will be close to $120,000. The size of the structure will be 40x132 and it will have electricity.
"The main thing is we want the community to be able to utilize the building," Borthwick stressed again. "It's not just for the market. It's for the community to have a place for the community to come in and do what needs done, whether it's for a party, a wedding or just sit and enjoy."
Farmer's Market
How is this year's market going?
According to Borthwick it has seemed to be "a little harder" to get people in as vendors. She feels part of that may be controversy around food truck fees and regulations and the other is the time for construction of the structure.
"Vendors are setting up in the street right now and I know many of them don't really like that," Borthwick said. "I think once the building is up there will be more."
Even with those two concerns, Borthwick was expecting 27 vendors at Tuesday's market this week.
"The market is in good shape," Borthwick said. "We are good."
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