Washington farmers market pavilion to serve as a town square
The city of Washington is about the see the first new construction along Main Street in more than a decade when construction begins this month on a pavilion for the local farmers market.
The Main Street Farmers Market pavilion that will cover two city parking lots in the 100 block of South Main Street also is expected to become a town square of sorts for other events, the project’s supporters said.
“We’re just really excited that, after years of planning, for this our dream of the pavilion is going to happen,” said Lee Stivers, vice president of the market’s board of directors.
The market, which will open its 12th season at 3 p.m. Thursday, has been successful from the beginning, in part because of the “buy local” movement that continues to grow, Stivers said.
The open-air pavilion will enhance the market, which often has to contend with wet weather, she said. The $849,000 project received a boost Thursday in the presentation of a $250,000 check from the county’s local share of the proceeds from The Meadows Casino in North Strabane Township.
“This is an example of true teamwork,” Washington Mayor Brenda Davis said during the check presentation at a county commissioners meeting.
She said the Washington Financial Building at North Main and Walnut streets, which opened in 2004, was the last new structure to be built along Main Street.
Maccabee Industries of Belle Vernon has been awarded the contract to building the roof, which will cover 15,000 square feet of the parking lots. The company will not be working during market hours, Stivers said.
The market is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 29.