Courtesy photo This mockup built by the Gladstone Department of Public Works serves as a model for what the new structures for the farmers market might look like. The black beams will be steel covered by a tin roof.

GLADSTONE — Plans are in motion for shading structures to be built for Farmers Market Square at 907 Delta Avenue in Gladstone through a collaboration between the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Community Foundation for Delta County, and Bay de Noc Community College.

“The DDA has been exploring long-term solutions to replace the pop-up canopies at Farmers Market Square, which require frequent repairs or replacements due to unpredictable weather and regular use,” said DDA Director Patricia West.

In September, the city commission approved the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)’s request to apply for a grant through the Community Foundation of Delta County for the purchase and installation of shade sails – large pieces of fabric that could be anchored to either buildings or posts for more stable sources of shade than tents, a notorious hassle.

“We are having some trouble with the tents and the pop-up canopies that we use,” said Renee Barron at that meeting, speaking on behalf of West. “The wind just does not like them – or likes them too much and likes to take them away. And it gets a little bit costly trying to keep those things down and secured every market.”

After approval by the commission, the Community Foundation awarded $2,000 to the DDA for the project. And then the idea evolved.

“After consulting with a contractor and our Public Works Superintendent, Barry Lund, they advised against (the shade sails) due to the wind patterns in the square,” West explained. “Barry then proposed constructing permanent pergola-like structures in the market square.”

The Community Foundation approved the adjusted plan.

Shortly after a presentation about the project in December, West said, Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes suggested that the college’s welding program could perhaps be of assistance.

The welding certificate program at Bay is headed by Instructor Nick DuPont. Students of the program will help to construct the first structure this spring.

The plan at the moment is for pergola-like structures with steel beams and tin roofing. They may also have backs that could potentially give vendors more display space to hang items.

“We anticipate the first structure will be completed and installed before the opening Farmers Market on Monday, June 2. It will span 64 feet along the wall of Wild Bill’s Tobacco and feature a tin roof to provide vendors and their products with protection from the elements. The DDA has committed to funding two additional but shorter structures on the opposite side of the market square in 2026,” said West.