Rochester's Public Market - a great place to shop!

As part of Mayor Robert Duffy's ongoing effort to improve public safety and customer service, effective Sat., May 5, several changes in traffic circulation, parking and product pick-up will be instituted at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St.

Specifically, these include:

• Expanded and relocated disabled parking

• Traffic on the Market's inner circle will be eliminated

• In some areas, the circulation of traffic will be redirected

• A new, "Veggie-Valet" service, managed by members of the Friends of the Public Market, will facilitate customer pick-ups

• A new, commercial customer registration and loading system

The "Veggie-Valet" service is based on a successful model developed at the Ferry Terminal Market in San Francisco. Market shoppers can now "store" their purchases in a central location in the Market and then bring their vehicle to a convenient, designated pick-up location. Members of the all-volunteer Friends of the Market will manage this operation.

Restaurants, stores and other large, commercial customers can now register and receive a sticker that will permit them access to one of two areas designated solely for their use. Flat bed "trucks" will also be provided for use by commercial vendors to facilitate the movement of product throughout the market site.

Handicap parking has been relocated and expanded. Consumers should follow the new signage directing them to those spaces. Additionally, the Market has increased the number of off-site parking directly across from the Union Street entrance. Parking is also available on Saturdays at Ametek Industries at 255 N. Union Street.

Dept. of Recreation and Youth Services Commissioner Charles Reaves said that, "These changes will make the our historic Public Market even safer and more pedestrian-friendly. We are focusing on improvements in customer service and this will increase convenience for our shoppers and commercial customers in pick-up and loading. During the first few weeks of the transition, we ask that visitors pay attention to the new traffic signs and to be patient as people get used to the new systems."

For more information on the commercial loading registrationsystem, or the new parking and circulation system, call the Market at 428-6907.