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North Carolina Main Street Award – Best Outdoor Space Improvement
City Pavilion
Shelby, North Carolina
The City Pavilion, located on West Marion Street in Uptown Shelby is a covered, open-air, 8,500 square foot structure built to house the Foothills Farmers’ Market, as well as concerts and other events. In addition to a large shelter, it features storage rooms, bathrooms, a walk-in cooler, ceiling fans and decorative festival lighting. It can hold close to 50 market vendors and has a capacity of 567 to 1700 people, depending on whether they are seated or standing, for other events. The Pavilion is powered primarily by solar panels on the roof next to a cupola, which was designed in the spirit of the one on City Hall.
The need for a permanent structure had been part of the non-profit Foothills Farmers’ Market organization’s long-range plan since 2009. A city-owned parking lot, in an underdeveloped area of Uptown Shelby provided an ideal location. The City of Shelby contributed the property and led the project. Greg Traywick, Cleveland County’s Cooperative Extension Center Director, was also very involved in it. The project architect was Mark Patterson, with the former Patterson Design Group. The Dodd Studio was the landscape architecture consultant.
The total investment in the City Pavilion project was $1.05 million. A grant from the US Department of Agriculture provided a major source of funding. Altogether, 17 partners and funders collaborated to make the project possible. Construction began in August of 2014 and the City Pavilion opened with the Foothills Farmers’ Market on May 16, 2015.
The City Pavilion is a well-equipped, long-term home for the farmers’ market that has been able to expand their products, services and activities. Vendors have reported increases in their customer base and sales since moving to the Pavilion. It provides a new flexible indoor/outdoor event space for community and private events. The City of Shelby hired an additional Public Works staff member who is responsible for the upkeep of the City Pavilion. It has also been a catalyst for economic growth. There have been increases in foot traffic for Uptown businesses, in private investment in properties and in the number of businesses in the vicinity of the Pavilion.
Thanks to the partners who made this idea a reality in Shelby, NC
City of Shelby
Foothills Farmers’ Market
Cleveland County Cooperative Extension Center
The Patterson Design Group
The Dodd Studio