Plans for Public Market in Downtown Austin

Preliminary discussions focused on bringing a public market to downtown Austin modeled after Seattle’s Pike Place have begun. Buzz about the topic continues among city leaders as possibilities are discussed. Pike Place, opened in 1907, is a Seattle attraction that brings a large downtown crowd equivalent to that of both entertainment events and sports events combined. Austin’s TXP Inc. has suggested that this could be of great benefit to both the local economy and the food industry. Advocates of the project also argue that an added benefit of bringing a market of this scale to the downtown Austin area is increased access to healthy food, which will cater to Austin’s prominently health-conscious residents. The current focus of these preliminary discussions is determining the best way to finance and operate a market that will be functional and profitable in the city.