The old saying goes: “Third time is the charm.”
And for the “Put A Roof On It” Farmers’ Market Project from the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2022, it may just be the case.
Following two collapses and an injured worker on site, new plans, a new location and a bid packet for the public were unanimously approved by the Cadiz City Council Tuesday night — in what could be the first steps to successful construction.
At the forefront of discussions: Architect Duke Gatson of Madisonville, who presented a full scope of a winged building — 11 feet tall on the sides, 16 feet tall in the middle and at least 70 feet long — that would sprawl the back left corner of the Old CeeBee lot just in front of the old Cadiz Water Works, on the left side of Spring Street, and with ample parking in the front.
Gatson noted it will come prepared with lights, receptacles and fans, is uniquely located near major utilities, and will adequately be wired and canvassed for potential future additions — like radiant heat and retractable walls.
The budget is $160,000, courtesy of a 50/50 Department of Agriculture grant and the efforts of many who have already donated to the effort as a sponsor.
And the number of people Gatson has consulted for this design is many. Over the last few months, he’s been in contact with Chamber of Commerce’s Beth Sumner and Eunice Stone, the whole of the Leadership Class, Mayor Todd King, City Clerk Connie Allen, Public Works Director Craig Oakley, as well others, including several vendors.
One mild concern came from Bill Moore, a frequent craftsman at the market. He said the plan “checked all the boxes” and pleased him, but why not move the building more center, and close Spring Street permanently?
Oakley said a magnitude of cost and efficacy played a factor in this design.
Gatson noted in his design, there should be plenty or room to wrap around the facility without much trouble.
Furthermore, Cadiz City Council has dabbled with the idea of eventually developing the rest of the lot with citizen needs in mind. As a placeholder, Gatson placed a small basketball gym — complete with an office and some restrooms — on the drawing, just to prove the property could appropriately be allotted around the covering.
When this Leadership Class first brought their project to the public eye seeking support, the Old CeeBee lot wasn’t even an option. The City of Cadiz had yet to procure and plan on this property, and as such, the think tank proposed, got official approval and bid out a structure next to the Cadiz Baptist Annex.
Because of previous on-site construction failures and demolition, however, the Cadiz Farmers’ Market had to move down the hill. This actually delighted vendors, who now have more space to operate. Katie Yoder and Emanuel Beiler, both Amish, spoke in favor Tuesday with Susie Hendricks and Susan Bryant, with Yoder going as far to say she felt like “a kid with new shoes.”
Moore also besought the council and acting Chief of Police Tyler Thomas to consider extra patrols during market hours, as passersby often speed through Main Street with reckless abandon coming off of US 68/80.
In other council affairs:
— Members unanimously passed the annual contract with GFL, which is bringing about a less than $1 increase for trash pickup, and a $7 cost for a second can. Jeff Simms was in as representative.
— Allen and Thomas both confirmed their offices have been in contact with an unnamed production company that may, or may not, spend about a week of this summer shooting part of a film in Cadiz and Trigg County, and were curious about vendor costs and rendered protection services. Allen added the company, if it comes, could bring as few as five or as many as 100 workers, and were looking to find clarity on itinerant merchant licenses. Members unanimously added to an existing ordinance, seeking $15 per worker, good for three months of clearance.
