Coudersport ‘Market Village’ Input Welcome; Logo Contest Underway
Progress continues on a proposal to establish an open-air retail center, or market village, on a vacant lot in downtown Coudersport. Public comments are now being accepted on the plan, and a logo contest is also underway.
The God’s Country Village and Farmers Market is a project of the Revitalize Potter County Steering Committee. County officials emphasize that the plan is merely a proposal, subject to public input and a number of elements – including funding – falling into place. The committee has been working on the “market village/farmers market” concept on a county-owned lot at the corner of East Second and North East streets. A $4,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team paid for the services of a landscape architect/engineer, who has been conducting a feasibility study and developing a conceptual design.
Steering committee co-chairs Will Hunt and Ellen Russell describe the proposed development as a semi-permanent “village” with multiple short-term rental spaces. Retail space would complement the Potter County Farmers Market, with short-term occupants marketing agricultural goods, prepared food, locally crafted items or other products. It would be modeled in part on the successful Tionesta Market Village in Forest County.
The committee envisions the lot becoming a gathering place where live music and other entertainment or educational programs could be presented. Similar open-air markets could be developed in Galeton, Ulysses, Roulette and other Potter County towns. Community organizations, such as chambers of commerce, would be contacted to partner with the committee. Those holding festivals and other public attractions could offer previews, such as live music “teasers,” chainsaw carving demonstrations and other promotional activities, at the market. Visitors would be directed to businesses, attractions and events in the region.
Rentals would be available at low fees. The market village could serve as an incubator for new businesses. It would provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to “pilot” their business idea, without running the large risk associated with a storefront. Once the business proves to be successful, the hope is it would move into an empty storefront to help revitalize the business district. Meanwhile, the steering committee is investigating grant opportunities.
Logo contest details and rules
- Contest runs from February 22nd, 2021 to April 16th, 2021
- Only one logo per contestant may be submitted.
- Logo must be Potter County themed.
- Logo can be digital or hand drawn.
- Hand drawn logos can be no bigger than an 8.5×11
- Digital logos maximum file size is 10MB in JPEG or PDF format
- Hand drawn logos may be:
- Delivered to: the Gunzburger building at 1 Second St., Coudersport, PA 16915 during business hours
- Mailed to: Logo Contest – Attn: Ellen Russell at 1 N. Main St. Coudersport PA. 16915
- Digital logos may be submitted via the Revitalize Potter County website here.
For additional details, visit the Revitalize Potter County website here.
Those interested in becoming involved in the God’s Country Village and Farmers Market are encouraged to contact Ellen Russell at 814-274-8290, ext. 209; er******@po************.net; or Will Hunt, 814-274-8290, ext. 229; wh***@po************.net.
