The Waxahachie Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board unanimously approved funding for improvements to the Waxahachie Farmers Market building and the public parking garage during its meeting Wednesday, March 16.
Anita Simpson, director of downtown development and heritage preservation officer, presented the requests.
Simpson first addressed the needs at the farmers market building on Howard Road. The farmers market held its first season at the former ag building in 2021, with the TIRZ board funding the $64,238.88 renovation. She noted while some improvements have been made, the metal building can still be uncomfortable in the heat.
“We would like to put in a thermal barrier to help with the heat and the electrical and a couple of big fans to circulate air in there,” Simpson said. “We want to do two handicap parking spaces in front of the building and then a 5-foot sidewalk that would lead to a ramp that enters the building.”
Simpson said the gravel parking lot makes it difficult for wheelchairs and walkers. The two handicapped parking spaces would have an asphalt base and a sidewalk that would connect to the ramp. This improvement would work for this year’s market season until the rest of the parking lot can be addressed at a later time.
Simpson also requested a sidewalk that would connect the sidewalk behind the farmers market building and connects to the Wags-A-Hachie Dog park and its parking lot.
The improvements total $106,884.25, including a 10% contingency.
Simpson then discussed proposed improvements for the city’s downtown parking garage on East Jefferson Street. The parking garage was built 11 years ago in conjunction with the Ellis County Courts and Administration Building. A building assessment found several items needed to be addressed, including replacing signs, upgrading lighting to LED, installing motorcycle parking poles, upgrading security cameras, and restriping the parking spaces due to fading.
The improvements total $138,867.18, which includes a 10% contingency.
The two projects will go before the city council at a future date for final approval.