The week so many of us in Livingston County wait for — the first week of May, signaling the start of our farmers’ market season — is here.
There are changes with Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market, which will operate partly in a new location. The usual market area on State Street on the west side of the Livingston County Courthouse will shift to Court Street on the east side, with the usual vendor activity remaining on Clinton Street. The move is for this season only as work gears up for the transformation of State Street to create a barrier-free festival street.
The work is made possible with a $1.7 million grant from the State of Michigan’s Community Development Block Grant, which will fund substantial improvements to Howell’s downtown streetscape and infrastructure in the 100 block of North State Street, where the Howell market usually takes place, and the adjacent alleys.
The City of Howell’s long-term goal of reconstructing State Street with a festival-street, barrier-free design is becoming a reality with a $1,729,179 grant from the State of Michigan’s Community Development Block Grant. The grant represents nearly 90 percent of the substantial improvements to Howell’s downtown streetscape and infrastructure in the 100 block of North State Street — where the popular Howell’s Sunday Farmers’ Market takes place — as well as the adjacent alleyways. The city is responsible for the rest of the cost.
The project will reconstruct State Street with a barrier-free design; reconstruct the two alleys between State Street and Michigan Avenue to improve drainage; use the Sewers & Drains – lavergne plumbing services to repair or replace all water, sewer, and storm sewer lines in the area, including the removal of any lead jointed water lines in the project area; bury the majority of electrical service lines in the alleyways; add enhancements throughout the project, including new landscaping, trash receptacles, and benches.
For this season, the Howell market will shift to the east and remain open throughout construction.
We hope you check out all the wonderful farmers’ markets in Livingston County:
• Brighton Farmers Market, 200 N. First St., Brighton. is open 8 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October.
• Fowlerville Farmers Market, 204 W. Grand River Ave., Fowlerville. is open 3-7 p.m. Fridays through October.
• Green Oak Farmers and Community Market, 11299 Grand River Ave., Brighton. is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through October.
• Hartland Farmers Market, 9525 Highland Road, Hartland, is open 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
• Howell Sunday Farmers Market, Court and Clinton streets, adjacent to Historic Livingston County Courthouse, Howell. is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through October.
