One of Ohio City’s greatest food institutions might start seeing the revitalization that’s been buzzed about for years, now that it has a master plan.
Developed with consultant Ted Spitzer of Market Ventures, the West Side Market's big plans were shared in a public meeting on Thursday at Truss event center, across the street from the market.
What will change?
First and foremost, the market aims to transition from its status as a city-owned property into a nonprofit, with hopes to have Cleveland Public Market Corporation running the space by early 2024.
Beyond that switch to nonprofit management, the master plan looks to remix nearly every part of the West Side Market space. Planned updates include, notably, creating an outdoor courtyard between the North market and main market hall space, plus opening a test kitchen and an event venue on the second floor. The market would also install 350 new seats both indoors and outdoors.
Certain existing elements would shift, along with new additions to the market, aiming to improve the space's current 32% vacancy rate. The master plan looks to incorporate more prepared food and drinks in the North arcade, with 10 new vendor spaces for prepared foods (eight of which will include exhaust fans), plus two bars. Meanwhile, 24 produce stands would be clustered in the East arcade. The arcades could operate at later hours compared to the market hall, potentially accommodating a dinner rush.
The basement would see some impactful updates for vendors, with a new shared commercial kitchen, walk-in coolers and updated equipment.
Accessible restrooms would be available inside the main market hall space, with new elevators giving improved access to all levels of the building, too. Otherwise the historic market hall will remain mostly the same, Spitzer said.
“There’s an opportunity here to offer something very new to West Side Market, without altering the incredible shopping experience which is the inside of the market hall,” Spitzer said.
Overall, it’s a big reimagining of 111-year-old complex's many spaces.
(Photo by Annie Nickoloff)
What will it cost?
Simply put: a lot.
In total, about $44 million.
Where’s that money coming from?
Well, some funding has been earmarked for the project already. In May, Cleveland City Council allocated $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the market — a compromise from an original proposal for $20 million and then $15 million.
The idea of dedicating major ARPA funds to the West Side Market received mixed responses. Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin previously stated he would have rather seen $15 million in ARPA funds used in different ways in Cleveland, a “cash-strapped” city.
“We cannot in good conscience send money to one city asset while the rest of the city continues to crumble,” Griffin said in an interview with Cleveland Magazine.
The funding is about a quarter of the way there. But remember: nonprofit management. The Cleveland Public Market Corporation will have access to other funds previously not available to the city-run version of the West Side Market, including grants and donations.
When an attendee at Thursday’s presentation asked about the possibility of a crowdfunding campaign, CPMC board member Dave Abbott was receptive to the idea. (And probably many, many other ideas.)
“We will absolutely do that,” Abbott said. “We will turn over every imaginable rock.”
He continued: "As we tell the story about what the market can be, we're pretty optimistic we'll be able to attract the funding that we'll need."
(Photo by Annie Nickoloff)
Will the market be sustainable?
That’s the goal — and there are some pathways outlined in the master plan. Organizers noted possible public and private events the market could host, along with a major rethinking of the market’s parking lot, as major revenue sources.
“It’s not just pretty pictures, but also the business plan to show how the market can operate and sustain in the longterm,” said Jessica Trivisonno, the West Side Market’s senior strategist.
But the organization will be spending money to get to that point, not only on renovations, but also in hiring on more full-time staff. The West Side Market estimates its operating budget will be $2.9 million.
When does it all happen?
Hey, hold up — first, we've got to see if Cleveland City Council approves CPMC’s management of the West Side Market this fall. If approved, the goal is for the nonprofit to take charge in January 2024, when it can then push forward master plan renovations.
(Photo by Annie Nickoloff)
What do vendors think?
Two vendors, D.W. Whitaker Meats owner Don Whittaker and Ohio City Pasta manager Ruby Thomas, shared their notes at the meeting.
Thomas, who has worked at the West Side Market with family since she was a kid, says she has seen the market becoming more and more of a hotspot in Cleveland, thanks to its picturesque tower and appearance on many tourism guides. She also noted a trend of more female vendors at the market.
“I think we are a huge tourist attraction and that needs to be recognized,” Thomas shared.
Whitaker, who is the president of the West Side Market’s tenant association, applauded the hopeful shift away from city management and toward the CPMC structure.
“It’s nice to see that we’re finally here, that there is a plan — not just a plan to have a plan. We actually have something we can work and improve on,” Whitaker says. “It needed a change, everyone’s realized that. It’s just good to see where it’s gone."
Lead photo courtesy of Erik Drost via Flickr.
