VINTON–The Vinton Farmers’ Market stage renovations are nearly complete with only a few minor touch-up items remaining. Assistant Town Manager Pete Peters says that the September 10 Mingle at the Market will return to the Market area as planned for a “soft” opening of the venue.
The first three Mingle concerts of the summer were held at the Vinton War Memorial while construction was underway on the stage.
The roof and stage have been extended in a new design and are far less utilitarian in appearance. New roofing has been installed The stage has been painted a soft aqua shade named “Reflecting Pool,” with other colors of trim to be added. Barn doors have been added to the back wall.
“We plan to install Chalk Boards (possibly ones from the school under remodel) behind the barn doors that we can use to promote events and share community artwork,” said Peters.
The “VINTON” seat wall sign is expected to be in place later this week with lettering in black and green. The town will wait to seal and stain the stage floor next spring after it cures.
“The downtown wayfinding signs, park benches, trash receptacles and other landscaping items aren’t expected until mid to late September, so we are expecting a more formal ‘Grand Re-Opening’ to coincide with either the Fall Festival or next spring’s Dogwood,” said Peters. “Being that some of the above mentioned items remain in production, the town will continue to wait on committing to the October 8 Fall Festival date until delivery and installation become more firm.”
The town received a three-month extension on the project close-out for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) received through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Peters says the date for completion of the extensive renovation project which involved much of downtown Vinton is now December 31.
The new furniture and gateway signs are in production, and coupled with the completion of the Farmers’ Market area upgrades, will all together “have a profound visual impact on the downtown.”
Peters says that improvements are also forthcoming for the Farmers’ Pavilion area across the street. The town will be pressure washing the stalls and making repairs to the louvers and vendors’ tables. There will be paint and signage updates and landscaping and sidewalk improvements as well. The plan is to blend together the new stage and older Pavilion areas in appearance.
The town recently added wi-fi access for market vendors to help facilitate customer purchases.
Peters says that façade improvements which are also part of the CDBG grant are currently underway at 107,109, and 111 South Pollard, the Post Office, and Cornerstone Antiques.
“There are a lot of moving pieces to the remaining aspects of the Downtown Revitalization,” he continued. “The local business owners and local contractors are all pulling together to finish strong and everyone seems excited about the results of the work. This project dates back to 2010 with the original planning grant and just now are the town residents, business owners and visitors getting to see the full effect of the many years of work behind to scenes. Very exciting times to be In Vinton! “