marketfacility
Skip sidebar and go to page body
BRICKWORKS: Project Summary
here is the site plan
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild (Ag Guild) is developing a Permanent Farmers’ Market Facility and community and tourism-related event center called Brickworks at 150 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Brickworks will provide San Juan County’s current and future island farmers, seafood harvesters, artists, and food purveyors with the marketing, storage, distribution, processing, and educational facilities they need, thus increasing access to local products for both residents and visitors.
While the development of a year-round farmers’ market facility has been a driving force in this project, it also responds to community goals and needs for an arts & crafts market and a multi-purpose community and tourism-related events facility.
A feasibility study, completed in January 2009, positively identified a permanent farmers’ market facility in Friday Harbor per se, with three possible locations. The most feasible location was 150 Nichols Street primarily due to committed local public funding. Since September 2008, the San Juan County Land Bank’s (Land Bank) approved budget has included $400,000 towards the purchase of an historic preservation and conservation easement on this property.
The historic building at 150 Nichols Street is the only remaining historic industrial building in Friday Harbor’s downtown core. Originally this building was the Friday Harbor Brick & Tile Co. that manufactured the concrete blocks used in the construction of several of the historic buildings in Friday Harbor, including Town Hall (1934). The 150 Nichols Street historic structure has undergone a structural engineering analysis, and while a number of structural reinforcement and remodeling requirements are needed to bring the building up to code, the building is essentially sound.
The primary disadvantages of the Nichols Street location are the lack of visibility from major roads and the limited amount of on-site parking. Signage and advertising will be used to address the visibility issue. Plans are in process for a “veggie valet” (curb-side purchase drop-off/pick-up booth) and/or a shuttle bus to address the limited on-site parking. The development of Brickworks will provide Traditional Town Development with the creation of increased pedestrian access. In 2008, San Juan Farmers’ Market customers were asked how far they would be willing to park from the market location. Only 3.5% answered that they would want to park on site, 4% answered that they would be willing to park one block from the market, and over 68% answered that they would be willing to park three blocks or more from the market.
The 150 Nichols Street property currently provides long-term parking, and the development of Brickworks will displace these tenants. However, any development of this property would likely result in the loss of this long-term parking due to the economics of commercial development.
Town of Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher is an ardent supporter of the project: “I am convinced this project will be a key factor in a needed revitalization of that area of our Town. In addition, the preservation of the historic Friday Harbor Brick & Tile building and creation of a permanent greenspace will be amenities the Town will look to with pride for years to come. Farmers’ markets have proven themselves to be economic drivers nationwide. Studies have shown that farmers’ markets draw visitors to spend money not only at the market but at perimeter businesses as well. To change that area of town to an attractive respite and unique business hub will only serve to support our community’s economic well being. This is thinking outside of the box in ways that will serve the Town well now and far into the future.”
On May 4, 2010, Governor Christine Gregoire signed the State capital budget (ESHB 2836) which included 45 state-wide Local Community Projects to be funded through the Commerce Department, including $375,000 for the purchase of the historic building at 150 Nichols Street for a farmers’ market facility.
On July 1, 2010, the Ag Guild announced that it was awarded a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant of $99,900 in acquisition funds.
The Ag Guild is committed to securing the balance of the $1.3 million needed to purchase, renovate, and develop the Nichols Street property, and establish a thriving market and event facility. The Ag Guild is also committed to the successful long-term management of Friday Harbor Brickworks. The Ag Guild Board of Directors has initiated a capital campaign with the goal to raise $400,000 through local philanthropy. Additional grant funding is also being pursued, including an invitation only application in the amount of $5,000 to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in The State of Washington.
This project’s greatest strength is that the development of Brickworks will address several goals of the Ag Guild, the Land Bank, and the Town in Friday Harbor’s downtown core:
➢Revitalization of an under-utilized property
➢Economic development opportunities for local farmers, seafood harvesters, artists, and food purveyors
➢Preservation of the only remaining historic industrial building
➢Creation of additional greenspace and greater pedestrian access
➢Economic development opportunities for the surrounding businesses
➢Creation of a multi-purpose community and tourism-related events facility
➢Marketing, processing, distribution, cold and cool storage, and educational facilities needed to promote sustainable agriculture in San Juan County
In this economy, regional food systems have gained increased importance given their ability to successfully address economic development and community food security. The Local Food Economy Study demonstrates the significance of economic development in the local food economy through the benefits of local money circulation and the economic linkages that create a more diverse, resilient, and sustainable local economy. The study finds that for every $100 spent at a conventional grocery store, only $25 goes back into the local economy, while for every $100 spent at a farmers’ market, $62 goes back into the local economy, and $99 of that $100 stays in the state. Local food systems can even address global warming by reducing consumers’ carbon footprints.
Brickworks – Total Support to Date
Committed Funds:
➢$400,000 from the Land Bank for the purchase of an historic preservation and conservation easement
➢$375,000 ($365,625 net grant amount) in State capital funds
➢$99,900 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant
➢$92,896 in cash donations from 306 donors to date
➢$30,000 Washington State Rural Opportunity Fund grant from the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development via the San Juan County Economic Development Council for the Feasibility Study
➢$10,000 from the USDA Farmers’ Market Promotion Program for facility planning and design
➢$5,000 from individual donors through the San Juan Island Community Foundation for architectural design
In-kind Donations:
➢Northwest Agriculture Business Center: Technical assistance for planning, design, fundraising, feasibility study, and a business plan (valued at $34,000)
➢In-kind donations from supporters (valued at $25,928)
➢San Juan County Economic Development Council: Office space, phone, and equipment (valued at $23,500)
➢Star Surveying: Site surveying provided pro bono (valued at $3,397)
➢San Juan Farmers’ Market Association: Booth space for outreach, surveys, and fundraising (valued at $480)
➢San Juan County /Town of Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management: Technical assistance for design of the cool and cold storage component to increase San Juan County’s self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness
➢San Juan Islands Conservation District and WSU Extension San Juan County: Planning and design of the educational component
Letters of Support
A Letter to the Editor of the San Juan Journal
A letter from David Waldron
A letter from the San Juan Farmers Market Association
A letter from Sweet Earth Farm owner and Ag Guild co-chair Elaine Kendall
A letter from Mitchell Bay Farm owner and Ag Guild member Bruce Gregory