The Lawrence Farmers Market could leave downtown next year if roomier, more convenient accommodations aren’t found in the area.

“It would be best if we could stay in the downtown area, because Downtown Lawrence is one of our sponsors,” said Mary Jo Mensie, the market organization’s treasurer. “However, at this point, we would look at any suitable location in the city: private or public.”

Her comment came ahead of a Tuesday appearance before the Lawrence City Commission, where officials plan to ask for City Hall participation in a task force to decide the 29-year-old market’s future.

“It is our hope that the current city commissioners will participate in a 2004 evaluation process to identify and implement a new location for the Lawrence Farmers Market,” members of the market board of directors said in a letter to the commission. “This location should provide growth potential for the market.”

Market officials want the move to take place in 2005.

Split opinion

Vendors and shoppers at the market early Saturday morning were split about the possibility of the thrice-weekly market moving from its longtime location in the city parking lot at 10th and Vermont streets.

“I would like bigger, permanent,” said Carolyn Slawson, who was selling vegetables. “Personally, as long as the patrons find us, I will sell where I’m planted.”

Judy Mulford, a shopper, thought otherwise.

Shoppers and vendors fill the Lawrence Farmers Market, where fresh produce, homemade goodies, flowers and crafts are offered each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in downtown Lawrence. Farmers Market officials are asking the city to form a task force to study the possibility of moving the event to a bigger location.

“I just think it needs to stay downtown,” she said. “Downtown’s just so unique, and this is part of the uniqueness of downtown. I just love it down here.”

But Kitty Black, who was selling plants and flowers, wasn’t sure. The market, she said, needs to be covered and have amenities such as electricity and hot-and-cold running water.

“Moving is, in my opinion, a must; this place is getting too small,” Black said.

Still, she added: “Downtown is a real nice part of Lawrence and I like it a lot. If we had to (move) I would, but the atmosphere downtown is a lot nicer, I think.”

Mayor Mike Rundle said he didn’t think the market should have to leave downtown.

“I think everybody would probably want it to be near downtown, if it weren’t downtown,” Rundle said. “It’s certainly welcome wherever it goes.”

Maria Martin, director of Downtown Lawrence Inc., did not return a call seeking comment.

New to the market (5-19-04) Market opens Saturday (5-7-04)

‘Dire predictions’

Mensie said the current location was increasingly limited. For one thing, nearby water line replacement by the city is creating roadblocks for customers this summer — though actual construction takes place at different times than market hours.

A proposal to temporarily move the market to a city-owned parking lot in the 800 block of New Hampshire Street fell through when construction began nearby on Hobbs Taylor Lofts, creating parking headaches there.

The lot on New Hampshire Street has 120 parking spaces; the current location on Vermont Street has 64.

Jane Live of Lawrence buys some garlic from Mark Lumpe from Wakarusa Valley Farm. The sale took place during Saturday's Farmers Market.

“I have heard dire predictions,” Mensie said of the water line project’s effects on the market, “and I’ve heard predictions it won’t hurt us at all.”

Even without construction, though, the market appears ready to outgrow its longtime location at 10th and Vermont streets.

“The size is exactly right for us right now. If we get one more vendor, it will be too small,” Mensie said. “And we have always thought it would be nice to have running water.”

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the market draws from 15 to 30 vendors; on Saturdays, that number grows to 60 or more. Before the season started, about 75 vendors signed up to participate, and organizers expect that number to increase as local produce peaks. More than 2,000 people visit the market on a typical Saturday morning, with smaller crowds weekdays.

Rundle said solutions might be on the way; the New Hampshire Street parking lot should be available in future years, he said, and an expansion of the Lawrence Public Library could include a “civic space” that would have room for the market.

“I guess I have a hard time seeing why it would have to” leave downtown, Rundle said.

Since at least 2000, market supporters have been pushing for a move to the New Hampshire Street location, which they would like to see improved with restrooms, sinks, running water and electricity. They have produced preliminary drawings and cost estimates to build canopies to provide shade and protection from the elements.

In 2001, such improvements were estimated to cost $350,000.

Supporters don’t have a lot of money to provide such amenities. The organization relies on the city for the parking lot and Downtown Lawrence Inc. for support.

The commission meets at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.