SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County government is using a new online survey to obtain public comment on the future of the Central New York Regional Market.
“With major investments under consideration,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon is asking residents throughout Central New York to share their ideas for improving the market on Park Avenue in Syracuse.
The survey queries residents about their experiences at the market, reasons why they do or do not shop there, what they like and dislike about the market, and their ideas for improvements. Survey answers are due by Oct. 31.
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Onondaga County encourages residents to take the survey, whether they shop at the market or not. The online survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CNYRegionalMarket or at the website: www.cnyregionalmarket.org.
The survey comes at a time of financial challenges for the CNY Regional Market.
A mid-May audit by the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found the Central New York Regional Market Authority’s financial position had deteriorated, and the cash available to pay operating costs declined from fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 to FY 2022-23. The market is now operating under new CEO, William Fisher.
Within its 50-acre district, the CNY Regional Market hosts one of the country’s largest farmers’ markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, as well as a community flea market on Sundays. The market is also home to wholesalers who facilitate the distribution of foods grown by farmers throughout Central New York to buyers in a roughly 500-mile radius, including local schools and restaurants
“The Regional Market is a true community asset that has served area farmers and residents for nearly 100 years,” McMahon said in the announcement. “As our community prepares for unprecedented and historic growth, the time is now to invest in the Market and maximize its true potential. In order for this effort to be successful, we need community input and that is why I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to fill out the survey.”
Onondaga County says it has retained a consulting team with expertise in similar retail/wholesale markets to create a revitalization strategy for the CNY Regional Market. The county is working with Portland, Maine–based Market Ventures, Inc. “to ensure that investments in the CNY Regional Market best serve the community and can be sustained over time,” Onondaga County said.
The consultant is gathering information from residents, public officials, partnering organizations, and the market’s vendors and tenants, in advance of recommending new capital investments and operational improvements.
