NEW LONDON — A proposed year-round public market at the Cronin Building has moved into a feasibility review, with a study due January 31, The Day reported Friday.
The New London Public Market Corp. selected Public Market Development, led by former Pike Place Market director Aaron Zaretsky, to examine the proposal for 78–88 State Street. Board president Chris Kervick told the newspaper the study is also needed to pursue additional funding.
For prospective shoppers and vendors, the next milestone is a decision about whether the market can succeed, rather than an announced opening. The consultant’s published guidance calls for examining the site, nearby population, traffic and competing or complementary retail businesses before recommending whether a project should proceed.
State Sen. Martha Marx’s March 11 announcement identified $250,000 in Community Investment Fund planning support for the nonprofit, subject then to final State Bond Commission approval. It described owner-operated shops, stalls and tables on the building’s ground floor and basement. The Day now reports that part of that grant will fund the study.
The newspaper reported that developer E.S. Goodman expected to complete its purchase of the building by the end of November. That expectation does not establish a completed sale. The proposed market and the building’s planned upper-floor apartments remain separate parts of the redevelopment.