Scottsdale — The City Council voted to authorize a revocable license agreement (Contract No. 2025‑181‑COS) allowing the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market to relocate to the City Hall parking lot beginning in October 2026, while preserving continuity at the market’s existing site until a mutually agreed transition date.

Staff presentation and site plan
City staff presented the proposed site plan and a list of operational supports the city will provide, including wayfinding to Civic Center parking and vendor parking access under the Civic Center garages. The original draft license would have taken effect in October 2026; during the meeting the city attorney identified a drafting error that would have terminated the market’s current agreement immediately. Council amended the motion to extend the current agreement until a mutually acceptable date and authorized the city manager and city attorney to finalize conforming language.

Public comment and concerns
Speakers praised staff work to keep the market in Scottsdale but also questioned whether the new location will retain the same level of foot traffic and vendor revenue. Steve Sutton said many customers prefer the market’s longtime location and cautioned the city had pressured the market to move. Dan Isaac asked for a cost‑benefit analysis of city costs (waste removal, public safety, electricity) and an assessment of likely impacts on old‑town retail foot traffic; those analyses were not in the staff packet.

What the motion does and next steps
Council adopted Resolution 13545 authorizing the license agreement for the City Hall parking lot and amended the contract to (a) preserve the market’s current location until the parties agree on a transition schedule, and (b) authorize staff to make conforming revisions. City staff will finalize the contract dates and department logistics (restroom access, signage, vendor parking) with market organizers. The council also asked staff to correct the termination clause that had inadvertently been drafted to replace the current agreement immediately.

Quotes
"This is the site plan... we are excited to have them move closer to the Civic Center," Rachel Spentana (staff) said during the presentation. Resident Steve Sutton told council, "My customers do not want to go to the farmers market at the City Hall parking lot." Councilmember Solange Whitehead amended the motion to keep the market operating at its current site until a mutually acceptable date.

What to watch
Council directed staff to finalize the logistical attachments (restroom access options for fenced events, vendor parking and signage) and to ensure the farmers market has adequate communications with customers about the planned move.