This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Holladay • The City Council has cleared the way for a new community amenity: a farmers market in the Village Center Plaza.

The market, which Mayor Rob Dahle said is the first of its kind in Holladay, will open Saturday and will run each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 29.

The City Council on Thursday night unanimously approved an agreement with the organizer, Maryann Alston, director of Wasatch Front Farmers Market, although, Alston has yet to sign the agreement. The same firm runs the market at Wheeler Historic Farm.

Council members are not entirely sure what to expect, but they hope the market will be a large success. According to the accord, the plaza must remain open to the public, which the council says will provide natural traffic to the market. Furthermore, if the market becomes too crowded — which the City Council believes is probable — the city may move the market to City Hall Park to accommodate more people.

According to the agreement, Alston will provide portable toilets and garbage and waste removal; will pay $200 rent each week; will carry $2 million liability coverage; and may terminate the agreement upon notice.

The city, in turn, will close Laney Avenue during the market's hours of operation, at the council's discretion, and may also terminate the agreement with a 30-day notice.

The city does not anticipate costs to the city to exceed the revenue from rent. Possible costs, however, may come from extra personnel needed to close the street and to perform other tasks as needed the day of the event.

The feasibility of the market and its future will be determined on June 6, when the City Council expects to receive feedback from the community.