Author: Admin

Madison Public Market Foundation Announces the Hiring of New CEO

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The Board of Directors of the Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF) is pleased to announce that Keisha N. Harrison has been selected to serve as the Market’s first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Harrison will have responsibility for shepherding the final phases of the facility construction, lead the tenant build-out phase, and establish the Madison Public Market as the premier regional market location. She will provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership while fulfilling the mission and vision of the MPMF and the Market – to create a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where entrepreneurs and businesses owned and operated by women, first generation immigrants and people of color can get their start.

Harrison leaves her role serving as the Executive Director of the Indianapolis City Market Corporation. She led activities related to the operation and restoration of the historic city market. Duties included implementation of policies and procedures, vendor leasing operations, stakeholder collaboration, budget development and monitoring, strategic planning and organizing special events. Harrison worked to improve food access for the community with responsibility for a weekly farmers’ market operating alongside the City Market. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Dartmouth College and her Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

“I’m thrilled to join the vibrant community of Madison as CEO of the Madison Public Market Foundation. Together, we will create a dynamic and inclusive space that celebrates local food and entrepreneurship, and brings fresh opportunities to our city,” Harrison said.

Karen Crossley, President of the Madison Public Market Foundation, is pleased that this important element of the long-awaited project has come to fruition. “On behalf of the Madison Public Market Foundation that will serve as the Market’s operator, the City of Madison and the community at large, we are beyond thrilled to introduce Keisha Harrison as the Madison Public Market’s first Chief Executive Officer. Keisha brings abundant skills and talents to this position, and is enthusiastically and fully committed to bringing our shared community vision for the Market to life.”

The Madison Public Market Foundation (MPMF), a 501(c)3 organization, has been working closely with the City of Madison, community leaders and engaged local citizens for nearly two decades to build a Public Market. The Madison Public Market promises to be an inclusive, lively marketplace highlighting much of what makes the Madison community so special: locally grown and prepared delicious food, refreshing beverages and handcrafted artwork, jewelry, wearables, and collectibles. The Market will be a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where new entrepreneurs and long-established Madison favorites grow their businesses and achieve success.

The Market’s TruStage MarketReady Hall will house a food -oriented entrepreneurship and business center that will support small business owners who wish to grow, scale, and create food-related products. TruStage MarketReady Hall entrepreneurs will be offered shared, affordable access to commercial food production equipment and infrastructure that are often beyond the reach of typical low-capital start-ups.

The City of Madison is currently repurposing the former Fleet Service Building at the high-traffic corner of First and East Johnson Streets along the bustling East Washington corridor in downtown Madison. Following national best practices among the nation’s large public markets, the city will maintain ownership of the building while the MPMF will oversee the daily operation of the Market.

The former Fleet Services Building, located at 200 N. First Street dates back to the 1950s. It boasts a large open space with 45,000 square feet to house up to 30 permanent vendors, 100+ seasonal/temporary vendors annually, areas to host public/private events, a commercial kitchen, and large garage doors to welcome an open-air breeze during warmer months. Situated on 3.5 acres, the site will accommodate outdoor seating, live entertainment, food carts, and parking. To date, more than 230 applicants have expressed interest in vending within the Market.

MPMF is under the direction of a committed 16-member Board of Directors and is expected to have an initial operating budget of just over $1MM. The CEO position is MPMF’s first hire, the initial step in building a talented and dedicated team to carry out the mission and strategy of the organization. The Market is projected to attract 500,000+ visitors each year, support 130+ local businesses, create 100 jobs, and generate $16 million in local sales annually. The renovation was initiated in December of 2023 and the Market is currently scheduled to open in late Spring 2025.

Harrison will begin her position as CEO in mid-July. The Madison Public Market Foundation will notify the press and the community when she will be available for interviews after her start date. In the interim, Karen Crossley, President of the Madison Public Market, is available for interviews.

Madison Public Market Foundation, TruStage and supporters celebrate Equity Through Entrepreneurship, highlighting the first MPM Vendors

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Media Release | February 20, 2024

Madison, WI — The Madison Public Market Foundation and TruStage hosted a special gathering on February 20, 5-7 p.m. at TruStage (5910 Mineral Point Road) to bring Public Market donors, volunteers, diverse vendors, local officials, and other supporters together in celebration of the Madison Public Market moving forward to a Spring 2025 opening. The first four confirmed vendors of the Public Market will provide a variety of multicultural fare and talk about their businesses with attendees. This is the first time the Madison Public Market Foundation has hosted a large gathering to highlight the initial confirmed vendors and experience the equity and cultural connection that the Public Market will offer.

“For two decades, thousands of people from across Madison have played an important role in shaping the vision and actively supporting the development of the Public Market. The Madison Public Market Foundation is grateful for the continued community commitment to the project, and we appreciate our partner TruStage for helping us make the Market a reality,” said Karen Crossley, Madison Public Market Foundation Board President.

TruStage, the Madison Public Market Foundation’s largest private donor, graciously agreed to host and sponsor the celebration. TruStage provided a foundational gift to support the creation of TruStage MarketReady Hall inside the Madison Public Market. The vision for TruStage MarketReady Hall is to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship through shared food production space and a community event hall. TruStage MarketReady Hall will provide affordable access to commercial food-processing equipment and culturally-relevant entrepreneurial trainings, where diverse entrepreneurs can grow their products.

“At TruStage we are committed to making a brighter financial future accessible to everyone,” said TruStage President and CEO, Terrance Williams. “Many entrepreneurs dream of scaling up their business but face insurmountable barriers when dealing with the high cost to access commercial kitchen facilities. The TruStage MarketReady Hall will help remove that barrier to entry and could help diverse founders who access the hall begin the journey of building generational wealth.”

The Madison Public Market Foundation will make two exciting announcements at 5:40pm. First, the Foundation will announce the hiring process for the Madison Public Market’s first Executive Director. This key position will lead the Madison Public Market to a successful opening and beyond. More information can be found at madisonpublicmarket.org.

Second, the Madison Public Market will unveil its new Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program to support new and early-stage diverse entrepreneurs who wish to be a permanent or temporary vendor within the Public Market. Learning from the highly successful MarketReady entrepreneurial training pilot program, the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program will reduce barriers to entrepreneurship that underrepresented small businesses may face. Key components of the program include:

  • Invest in vendor selection in diverse communities 1) purchase paid advertisements in diverse and multicultural media 2) continue partnerships with diverse chamber of commerce organizations and other community partners
  • Decrease financial barriers 1) offer grants to provide rent subsidy during the first 12 months 2) offer grants to assist with build-out costs 3) establish a revolving loan fund
  • Connect entrepreneurs with resources 1) offer culturally relevant trainings and mentorship 2) provide translating services 3) create key operating technology systems within the Market that are easily accessible and support all vendors

By launching the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program and concentrating on the success of small diverse businesses, more entrepreneurs will build their financial futures, and the variety of businesses, offerings, and price points within the Madison Public Market will enable people from all backgrounds and cultures to feel welcome, represented, and that they belong. To implement the Equity Through Entrepreneurship Program, the Madison Public Market must raise $1,000,000 by the end of 2024. Already $425,000 has been raised towards the goal.

Mayor Re-evaluates Funding for Public Market

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Madison Public Market Foundation’s response regarding the Mayor’s re-evaluation of funding for the Madison Public Market project due to COVID-19

Our Madison Public Market is a shovel-ready project that’s been in the making for nearly 20 years. The core mission of the Madison Public Market is equity-based economic development. As an economic development project, the Market is uniquely positioned to quickly provide jobs and advancement opportunities for 30+ permanent small business vendors, with a special focus on minority and female entrepreneurs through the MarketReady program. Flexible daily, weekly, or monthly vending stalls can be made available to support another 100+ small businesses.

Two years from now a Public Market will be EXACTLY what our recovering local businesses and economy needs. Small businesses will require an affordable, supportive place to do business where they are stronger together. Our Madison Public Market will be an essential step in our region’s economic recovery.

Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, the Mayor’s office is reassessing all City department budgets and projects, including the Public Market. When asked by the Wisconsin State Journal in a recent article whether the project could stall or end, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway shared, “That’s certainly a possibility. I don’t think that’s anyone’s first choice. The landscape has shifted. There’s a lot of things in flux right now. I think everything is on the table at this point.”

The Madison Public Market Foundation recognizes the City’s significant financial challenges and has been exploring additional funding opportunities. In partnership with the City, the Foundation has been invited to apply for a $3M grant from federal COVID-related funding. Other opportunities are also being explored. Importantly, the Foundation will operate the Market and assume the financial risks of the entity.

Additionally, it’s important to understand that the City’s $7M investment is not coming out of the General Fund or debt service. The dollars are allocated from TID District #36 that requires current available funding be invested specifically in economic development projects for the E. Washington corridor. Previous funds from TID #36 have funded projects such as the newest City parking garage, Breese Stevens Field and private apartment developments. Investing TID #36 dollars into a Public Market that will uplift small businesses is just as worthy if not more critical than the other projects completed through this fund.

Recent progress made to support the City’s smart investment in our Market includes:

  • Secured $3M in private donations and pledges to fulfill our fundraising commitment to the City, with opportunity to raise more dollars
  • Invitation to apply for $3M in COVID-related federal funding
    $3M in strong interest from New Market Tax Credit investors
    Successful completion of the first phase of MarketReady
  • Architectural design plans complete and waiting for City approval
    New Fleet Services building is nearly complete, making the current Fleet Building soon-to-be-vacant and ready for the Market
  • The Madison Public Market project is ready to launch. At a time when our community is most in need, we are fortunate to have a shovel-ready project that will uplift small businesses and provide equitable economic opportunities to minority entrepreneurs. Please join with us and show support for our Madison Public Market!

The Madison Public Market project is ready to launch. At a time when our community is most in need, we are fortunate to have a shovel-ready project that will uplift small businesses and provide equitable economic opportunities to minority entrepreneurs.

Please email the City and ask them to maintain Market funding and move our #MarketForward! The City has received an outpouring of support for our Market. Let’s keep it going!

[email protected]
[email protected]

For Talking Points and more information, click here.

To the thousands of Madisonians who supported our public market through volunteering, attending our events, speaking out at public meetings, or simply sharing our progress on social media, we THANK YOU for going on this journey with us. We wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

200 N. First Street – A Perfect Future Market Home

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After years of thoughtful planning, community conversations, and guidance from national public market experts, the Fleet Services Building (200 N. First St.) was chosen as the ideal home to our future Madison Public Market. And those of us on the Board of the Madison Public Market Foundation and Advisory Council couldn’t agree with this decision more.

My name is Jamaal Stricklin and as Chair of the Madison Public Market Foundation, I’d like to share our perspective on why this location is the right choice for our Market:

1. E. Washington is becoming the City’s most popular destination
From Forward Games at Breese Stevens Field to high-energy concerts at the Sylvee to the future Youth Arts Center, the East Washington Corridor is quickly becoming Madison’s most exciting entertainment district. The Public Market will add another uniquely Madison experience to this destination building the corridor’s overall success, while also benefiting from the thousands that are drawn here.

2. 100,000 people travel through the corridor daily
Whether visiting the E. Washington district or traveling through on the way to work, between E. Johnson, First Street, and E. Washington over 100,000 cars, buses, and bikes travel through this corridor every day. The Market will be a place these travelers can stop by for a relaxing meal or quickly pick up a few items for dinner on the way home.

3. Highly accessible location
Located at the end of the E. Washington District, this location is less than 5 minutes to the Capital Square, 5 minutes to the airport, and 7 minutes to 1-90/94.

4. Rapidly growing walkable and bikeable destination for thousands of neighbors
Within a ½ mile of the Market location, over 5,000 people currently reside. In the next 10+ years, over 2,000 additional apartment units will be added. Already businesses like Google, Zendesk, QTI, StartingBlock, and many other large businesses have relocated to the corridor. In the next decade, 2.5 million square feet of commercial space will be added to accommodate 260 additional businesses employing another 2,800 employees. The Public Market will help fuel this growth and will greatly benefit from the affects of this prosperity.

5. 173,282 people, including 49,000 households live and work within a 10-minute drive
A 2014 Madison Public Market survey completed by over 2,000 people found that 97% of respondents said they will travel up to 10 minutes to visit the Market often and 70% said they will travel up to 15 minutes. This above map shows the 10 minute driving radius around the Market site. Over 173,282 people live and work in this area, providing a significant target audience for frequent Market attendance.

6. No where else in the downtown area could we get 3.5 acres of space
The Fleet Services Building is currently owned by the City and sits on 3.5 acres of land. This allows us:

  • 120 on site parking spaces
  • 2 large outdoor seating areas
  • room for seasonal outdoor food carts and vendors
  • small performance area
  • children’s play area

No where else in or around downtown could we find or afford this much land. Because of the site, we’ll be able to extend the activities and vibrancy of the Market outdoors… where we all want to be during those short glorious warm months of the year! Let’s also not forget, that Burr Jones Field is right next door, allowing for even more green space to enjoy a picnic in the park or more outdoor programming.

7. A renovated Garage makes for a unique, retro Market space
Because the building was constructed in the 1960’s as a Fleet Garage, the floor plan includes:

  • wide open spaces, free of columns or obstructions
  • 2 story tall ceilings (they have to fit firetrucks and garbage trucks inside!)
  • floor to ceiling windows on most of the walls
  • 2 story tall garage doors – which we will keep and open up during the warm months for an “open Market” experience
  • a current 2nd floor mezzanine already exists and will offer visitors a bird’s-eye view of the bustling Market (similar to the 2nd floor seating at the Milwaukee Market)
  • a 5,000 square foot adjoining room will be the perfect event space for food festivals, performances, and private parties.

 

While the location was debated for quite some time, most everyone who visits the Fleet Building is immediately excited about this location. Come see for yourself! Join us for Market Holiday event on Dec. 14 where you can visit the Fleet Building and join with us in imagining what our Madison Public Market can be!