I’ve got some pretty big news to reveal this evening… I’ve just been voted on to the North Market Development Authority Board of Trustees. My first term begins in January of 2008 and will run until December of 2010, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
Personally, I’ve been a fan of the North Market for pretty much the entire time I’ve lived in Columbus proper. I won’t go into too much detail about the market since their history page on their website does a pretty good job of summarizing what they’re all about and their merchant’s page can tell you what all is located there. What I find most interesting about the North Market is the impact they have on creating a vibrant hotspot in downtown. It’s a place not just to buy groceries or lunch, but a place to attend all sorts of festivals and events. It’s a place to meet up for coffee, and also a space that incubates small local businesses. And as the role of the North Market continues to expand, it’s going to continue to face new challenges.
The main purpose of me mentioning this announcement is to reassert the fact that I want to help fill the role as an online ambassador for every civic group that I’m a part of. If you’ve got an idea or a concern about the North Market, feel free to post a comment here, send me an email, or even set up some time to meet up and chat in person. I’ll do my best to relay not only my own ideas and opinions, but also what I hear online from anyone else willing to throw in their own two cents.
Inversely, I’ll also be posting questions and issues from the meetings I attend to gather input on issues the North Market faces or new territory they may contemplate exploring in the next few years. I think public input is the most valuable tool when it comes to operating a public market, so I hope to hear a lot of good feedback during the next three years.
Anyway, I’ll have more information to come in January when my term begins, but I hope to hear a lot of good feedback before then!