Kenton County tapped a Northern Kentucky construction firm to build the county’s new farmers market pavilion in Independence.
On Tuesday, the Kenton County Fiscal Court chose Fort Wright-based Schrudde & Zimmerman, Inc. as the contractor for the planned farmers market pavilion adjacent to the Kenton County Courthouse in Independence. The firm’s $748,859 bid was selected from a six-company applicant pool.
Kenton County plans to build a 25-by-50-foot outdoor metal pavilion, two public restrooms, vendor storage, and a parking lot. Additionally, the pavilion will feature a cupola to match the aesthetics of the neighboring courthouse. As of now, there are no available renderings of the project’s design.
The new facility will allow six to eight more vendors to use the pavilion, according to the county’s Kentucky Agricultural Development Board Project Application. The county hopes the farmers market’s expanded footprint will increase vendor sales and overall foot traffic.
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and Durr Foundation are providing a combined $375,000 for the project’s construction costs. In total, it’s expected to cost $680,781, according to a county press release.
“Building a home for the Independence Farmers Market on our campus gives us the opportunity to celebrate our Kenton County farmers and builds upon the County’s long-term ambitions of turning the courthouse campus into a space that will serve our residents for generations to come,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said during the meeting.
Last April, the county selected Cincinnati-based architecture firm Brandstetter Carroll to design the county’s farmers market pavilion. In addition, Brandstetter Carroll is handling the project’s construction drawings and permitting process.
The farmers market was founded in 2008 but did not have a permanent home. It first operated out of the parking lot at the Kenton County Courthouse in Independence, but was forced to move in 2020 after restorative construction on the historic building commenced.
Currently, the farmers market operates out of the Independence Senior Citizens Building parking lot. The City of Independence is in charge of the market’s day-to-day operations.
Looking ahead, Kenton County is set to partner with the city of Independence for the farmers market’s scheduling. During off days, the pavilion will be available to the public for rent through Kenton County Parks & Recreation.