"The Midtown Farmers' Market connects us to local food and the farmers who grow it," said Corcoran resident Gerry Tyrrell, "and has the ideal home next to the LRT station, the YWCA, the Greenway trail, and other features of health and sustainability."

Tyrrell opened his home to 130 Market supporters, including many public officials, on Feb. 22 to celebrate six Market seasons and to help create a permanent home for the Market at 2225 E. Lake St., where it shares space on the 6-acre site owned by Minneapolis Public Schools. MPS has signaled it may sell the property this year.

Corcoran resident Sarah Greenfield drew applause by urging elected officials to seize the opportunity to create a permanent home for a significant public asset. State Senator Patricia Torres Ray addressed the room, pledging to sit down with other officials to explore all solutions (a recent letter and enclosures asked MPS and elected officials for such a collaboration).

Mayor R.T. Rybak spoke to the crowd, noting that any solution needs to benefit MPS, which is facing financial challenges. Council Member Gary Schiff reminded attendees that the transit-oriented Corcoran Midtown Revival Plan calls for public open space including a farmers' market at 2225 Lake, and was adopted into the Minneapolis Plan in 2002. State Rep. Jim Davnie urged attendees to show their support by continuing to shop at the Market.

Other attendees and speakers included County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, School Board member Pam Costain, Park Board member Annie Young, Council Member Sandy Colvin Roy, and several candidates for City Council and Park Board. The event raised $1,270 for the Market’s operations.

The Midtown Farmers' Market, a project of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, brings the all-local food and goods of 70+ farmers and vendors to 40,000 people each year, and will open its 7th season on Saturday, May 2.

The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization is beginning to plan a roundtable discussion with key site stakeholders and local developers in March, as part of an effort to explore redevelopment scenarios for 2225 E. Lake St.