In August 2018, the City of Independence officially opened the Independence Uptown Market.  The Market serves as the home of the Independence Farmers Market, but is also available for other public events as well as for private rentals.

Early indications have shown the Uptown Market to be well utilized and the public events to be well attended.  However, these events have also demonstrated a track record of patrons to the Uptown Market using the parking lot at the Independence Chamber of Commerce for event parking.  While the parking lot at the Chamber of Commerce is already in a significant state of deterioration, this added traffic will only serve to further erode the integrity of the lot.

To help alleviate parking needs for the Uptown Market, as well as to further achieve the strategic goal of strengthening partnerships with civic and community partners as outlined in Independence for All, City and Chamber of Commerce staff have developed a parking lot use license agreement.  Under the terms of this agreement, the Chamber of Commerce would make their parking lot available for public use on all non-holiday weekdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. the next day and all Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.  While Chamber will be responsible for maintaining the parking lot during the life of this agreement, the City will be responsible for the initial resurfacing and restriping of the parking lot.  The City will also be responsible installing appropriate signage for the parking lot.  City staff estimates this obligation will cost approximately $40,000.

The parking lot use license agreement was unanimously approved by the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at the September 12th Board Meeting.