FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville square could look different soon, depending on how two proposals fare before the City Council next week.
The council will consider leasing the patio attached to the Old Post Office to a restaurateur who’s interested in buying the building, and decide on whether Mountain, Block and East streets — three sides of the Square — can be closed for the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market on Saturday.
The original street-closing proposal specified just Mountain Street, but the Rural Mountain Producers Exchange Board, which runs the market, asked for the additional closings.
The proposal has been kicked around the council several times in various forms. It wouldn't close streets during other market times on weekday evenings.
The street closings are also referenced in a proposed lease for the patio, as the city is asking the new owner not object to street closings for the market or other special events.
“He will have to work deliveries around the market schedule, because when East is closed, there’s no way to get to his loading dock,” said Kit Williams, city attorney.
The city owns the gardens, sidewalks and patio, while the building itself is under contract to be sold by attorney Ron Bumpass. The Bumpass family bought only the building, leaving the other land in municipal hands. Hog City Diner, a restaurant in the building in the 1990s, got city permission to build the patio on an outside loading dock on city land.
The proposed lease would be $100 per month for the 1,500-square-foot patio. That’s less than the last restaurant, Urban Table, paid. However, the buyer would have to agree to continue providing power to the city-owned wireless hotspot installed in the building that offers free public Internet access around the square.
The owners or tenants of the building could also use the free wireless service, which is provided by Cox Communications, said Justin Tennant, an alderman.
The lease also includes some restrictions, including a ban on amplified music. Council member Sarah Marsh suggested prohibiting smoking in the lease, although Williams pointed out many business owners want patios specifically to provide smoking areas.
“This is just a proposal. You can suggest any changes or inclusions you want,” said Mayor Lioneld Jordan.
The sale of the building is expected to conclude in June.