More resources could soon be on the way to help implement the long-term plan for the Saint John City Market.
City staff are requesting up to $200,000 from the city’s growth reserve to hire a project manager for three years.
Tahlia Ferlatte, the city’s growth manager, made the pitch during a meeting of the committee last week.
“Our goal is to truly accelerate some of these key components of the strategic plan within the first three years which will not only serve as a foundation for other initiatives to come but it will also be the most indicative of forward movement and forward momentum,” said Ferlatte.
The strategic plan, released last summer, included more than 60 recommendations for the historic city market.
Among them are reducing the number of aisles from three to two, redesigning the outdoor plaza at Germain Street, and establishing regular hours of operation.
Other recommendations include developing South Market Street as a pedestrian active transportation priority space and constructing a professional incubator kitchen for short-term rental by emerging businesses.
According to city staff, about 20 of the recommendations will need dedicated oversight, fundraising, and project management support to be fully realized.
“Adding an additional resource will not only propel some of these initiatives forward but it’ll also enable management to refocus on some of those more functional objectives,” said Ferlatte.
“Once projects have been initiated, they will then be transitioned over to permanent staff to manage the ongoing implementation of those items.”
Growth committee members voted unanimously to recommend that council approve the funding request. It is expected to be considered at their next regular meeting.
