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RICHMOND -
Take a walk through the 17th Street Farmers market and you'll find fresh fruits and vegetables.
The City wants to invest nearly $600,000 into the open market, enclosing it so vendors can sell their products year round.
According to the State's recovery site, the project is "shovel ready." But city leaders say they're still waiting to get that money.
Richmond has already been awarded $17 million to cover a wide range of City projects including improvements to the 17th Street Farmers Market.
And some local vendors we talked to seem to like the idea.
"If you could get the people in here and get them excited about it, you probably would be okay,"
Emanuel Carter has served fresh vegetables at the 17th street Farmers Market for more than 20 years. A family business he hopes will be around for another 20 years.
Virginia has already started to receive federal stimulus money. And City leaders want to get even more to renovate the Farmers Market.
"We could have events and have activities in the fall and even into the winter. So, yes it would extend an opportunity for the vendors and we think also for our citizens," says Carthan Currin III, Richmond Economic Development Director.
Problem is, Richmond is competing with other localities to get that money.
"We have a sound and strong wish list that we hopes perceives favorable consideration," says Currin.
And while it seems like a good idea to some, local vendors like Henry Christian says he's not really sold on it. He says keeping the Farmer's market open is easier for customers.
"My customers use to pull up here getting their stuff and go quickly," says Christian.
City leaders can't say when and if they'll get those federal dollars. But they could still fund the project if the feds don't.
The City wants to model the 17th street Farmers Market after the one in Charleston, South Carolina.
City officials there tell CBS 6 it's been successful because of its variety of vendors and its location in a historic district.
The City wants to invest nearly $600,000 into the open market, enclosing it so vendors can sell their products year round.
According to the State's recovery site, the project is "shovel ready." But city leaders say they're still waiting to get that money.
Richmond has already been awarded $17 million to cover a wide range of City projects including improvements to the 17th Street Farmers Market.
And some local vendors we talked to seem to like the idea.
"If you could get the people in here and get them excited about it, you probably would be okay,"
Emanuel Carter has served fresh vegetables at the 17th street Farmers Market for more than 20 years. A family business he hopes will be around for another 20 years.
Virginia has already started to receive federal stimulus money. And City leaders want to get even more to renovate the Farmers Market.
"We could have events and have activities in the fall and even into the winter. So, yes it would extend an opportunity for the vendors and we think also for our citizens," says Carthan Currin III, Richmond Economic Development Director.
Problem is, Richmond is competing with other localities to get that money.
"We have a sound and strong wish list that we hopes perceives favorable consideration," says Currin.
And while it seems like a good idea to some, local vendors like Henry Christian says he's not really sold on it. He says keeping the Farmer's market open is easier for customers.
"My customers use to pull up here getting their stuff and go quickly," says Christian.
City leaders can't say when and if they'll get those federal dollars. But they could still fund the project if the feds don't.
The City wants to model the 17th street Farmers Market after the one in Charleston, South Carolina.
City officials there tell CBS 6 it's been successful because of its variety of vendors and its location in a historic district.
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