A restaurant and outdoor patio planned as part of the Transit Terminal makeover will have one of the best waterfront views in Barrie.
City council said a resounding yes Monday night to the plan to convert the terminal building into a year-round market similar to Ottawa's Byward Market, according to Mayor Jeff Lehman.
The project will transform the entire downtown block into what is being called a 'Market Precinct.'
"I'm very excited. It's been many years to get to this point. I was delighted last night to see council endorsing it unanimously," said Lehman, who's been pushing the idea for many years.
The plan is for a fine food market, seven days a week with permanent vendors and an adjoining pavilion building for the Barrie Farmers' Market.
The two will be attached with areas outside for booths in the summer 'to get that really lively atmosphere' said Lehman.
The building would still be a hub for Barrie Transit but Greyhound and Ontario Northland intercity travel would move to Allandale station. GO already runs its buses from there.
The Mayor compares the concept to Ottawa's Byward Market.
"It's a real mix of things but it is thriving and it is a tourist attraction," said Lehman. "People visit Ottawa and go visit the Byward Market area because it's a great place to be and that's ultimately what we see for this part of Barrie."
He says the tourist dollars will be a huge economic benefit for the city in addition to being a new destination for Barrie residents.
"It's going to be a great place to visit. They're going to be able to come down here and visit with our local farmers, to shop for fine foods and I think for the people of downtown it's a new feature."
The bigger picture, according to the Mayor is how a market can stimulate revitalization, which he says will ultimately be a great return for taxpayers.
Lehman says the city has already received four letters of interest from tenants who want to move their fine food shops into the building and there's interest in the restaurant as well.
City staff were asked to do a detailed costing of each of the renovation pieces and report back to council.
The schedule in the report that council approved was to get to occupancy and have the market open in 2019.
The Mayor expressed his gratitude to the Barrie Farmers' Market which he called a 'tremendous asset.'
A public market has been on council's radar since at least 2013.
"To be fair, some other things had to happen before we could really explore this idea," the Mayor said which included changing the transit system to multiple hubs.
"This has been many years coming. Lots of planning but I think given the amount of time its taken there's been a chance to get the planning right."
