Plans move forward for Madison Public Market 

The city of Madison and nonprofit Public Market Foundation are moving toward final agreements that would allow construction of a $20.8 million, 45,000-square-foot facility in December, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The market would open in the spring of 2025.

On Thursday, the city’s Public Market Development Committee will consider a lease and operating agreement with the Madison Public Market Foundation, which will be followed by decisions from the Finance Committee on July 17 and City Council on July 25.

Plans for the market would covert the city’s former Fleet Services building at 200 N. First St. into a community destination featuring fresh produce, culturally diverse prepared food, and arts and crafts. It would also include a Food Innovation Center as a flexible small manufacturing venue to support entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses.

The foundation would operate the property while the city would continue to own it.