The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
OC3 rebrands City Center Market
OC3 rebrands proposed farmers market, hashes out location with council
ONEIDA, N.Y. » The Oneida City Center Committee is one step closer to bringing amarket back to downtown Oneida.
OC3 members want to help the city grow and make Oneida a go-to destination. Originally pitching a weekly farmers market for Farrier Avenue, the group has rebranded the event as the City Center Market.
OC3 President Paul Marco said OC3 has already partnered with three food truck vendors, seven community events, 12 bands, 12 retailers, three crafters, one service business, two non-profit organizations, two farmers, three food vendors, the Oneida Parks and Recreations Department, and are still looking for more.
“We want to bring a lot more in for people to come down and experience,” Marco said. “We’re going for this three-pillar system. Entertainment, the market and the community engagement.”
One of the first community events planned for the City Center Market would be hosted by Lowe’s and feature a station to build flowerpots and plant flowers .
“I’ve also recently gotten word that the Oneida Karate Club will come down one day and give demonstrations and lessons,” Marco said.
Mayor LeoMatzke said one of the criticisms the city has faced is that there are several events for children and adults, but not many that incorporate both.
One issue raised about the City Center Market is closing down Farrier Avenue for the event. Marco said OC3 has been talking with the Oneida Post Office postmaster about closing down only half of Farrier Ave-
nue and leaving the other half for post office parking.
“I had a meeting with the postmaster Saturday and they were not in favor with shutting the street down,” said Ward 4 Councilor Helen Acker. “They’re pretty busy and concerned about preventing people from using the facility. They’re a federal building, they’re higher up on the food chain and I don’t want them to come back and put a stop order on this. You’re doing a terrific job and I’m 100 percent for what you’re doing, but I don’t want to inconvenience other people.
Ward 2 Councilor Michael Bowe suggested running the event after the post office closes, but Marco said that would be a problem because they want to have vendors set up before the people arrive.
Acker asked Fire Chief Kevin Salerno about the possibility of closing down Broad Street and OC3 using that street to set up vendors.
“As long as we can get there if there’s an emergency at the market, but we can re-route and go through Main Street then that’s fine,” Salerno said.
“Wilbur-Duck is the only business there and they close their doors at 5 p.m.,” Acker said.
Marco said Broad Street was not considered as an option by OC3 because they believed it a busier thoroughfare than Farrier Avenue.
Ward 3 Councilor James Coulthart was concerned about serving alcohol at the City Center Market on public land and asked Marco if he had discussed with the vendors.
“If I read and recall this right, our insurance would require that some sort of additional coverage be warranted by the vendors,” Coulthart said.
Marco said OC3 has reeled back the scope of alcohol for the event.
“We realized that’s probably not the right thing to do here, but what we’re doing is targeting two local craft beer vendors and two local wineries and cap it at that,” Marco said. “We want to balance competition for the vendors and we’ll be targeting vendors who know their business and should be covered by their insurance to provide beer and wine samples.”
The samples provided would be about one half ounce, and vendors would give customers a chance to buy a case to take home.
Councilors expressed interest in the City Center Market and asked OC3 to compile a list of various things for councilors to discuss before City Center Market’s opening day on Wednesday, May 23. OC3 will meet with councilors again on May 15.
“We do appreciate what you’re doing. It’s going to be amajor contributor to helping our city thrive,” Matzke said.
Quick Hits
•Local resident Robert Britton expressed concern that areas near Warner Street flood during heavy rains and local kids swimming in a nearby lagoon. “Is there anyway you can put a fence up before someone drowns?” Britton asked the council.
City AttorneyNadine Bell said the city had no right to order the property owner to build a fence and would require legal reason to do so. Britton said there’s areas in Verona that have fences around similar lagoons and Ward 5 Councilor Jim Chamberlain said he would check out the fences. Mayor Leo Matzke said the city would look into the flooding after hard rain falls.
“There’s some parental responsibility for children playing in the lagoon, but we’ll look into it,” Matzke said.
• Police Chief Paul Thompson said after a long hiatus, the Oneida Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back the Bike Rodeo this year. On May 19 at Vet’s Field, Thompson said they’re working on making a basic maintenance station for officers to check tire pressure, nuts and bolts and bike frames before helping children get their helmets fitted. There will also be an obstacle course for children to run with their bikes and practice their skills.