By Wayne Risher - The Commercial Appeal -

The Memphis Farmers Market has hit its fundraising target for expansion at Central Station and hired a contractor to build the addition.

Market organizers set a ceremonial groundbreaking for 11 a.m. Dec. 11, coinciding with "Harvesting the Holidays," a one-day market at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

Market president Beth Brock said the expansion price tag came in under $300,000, allowing the project to move forward.

"We are very thankful the final bids ended up coming in a lot less than the preliminary bids we had this summer," Brock said. The previous estimate was $360,000.

The project will extend the pavilion roof and surface toward Front Street, creating a T-shaped covered space for vendors. It will match existing design, include electricity, lighting and ceiling fans, and provide covered space for at least 16 vendors.

The pavilion also serves as a bus transfer site for Memphis Area Transit Authority.

Montgomery Martin was selected as general contractor, and Dianne Dixon of Clark Dixon Architects is donating architectural services.

Dixon, a founding board member of the market, said, "One of our missions at Clark Dixon is creating useful, vibrant public spaces as well as repurposing existing ones. The pavilion is a perfect example of that."

Brock also credited the Center City Development Corp. with helping guide the project.

The expansion is scheduled for completion before the market's sixth season begins next April.

Major funding came from two grants, $100,000 from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and $65,000 from the Hyde Foundation. Thousands of dollars from fundraisers and smaller donations made up the difference.

While the expansion is covered, fundraising doesn't stop. Brock said market organizers raise about $100,000 a year to cover operating expenses.

-- Wayne Risher: 529-2874

Harvesting the Holidays

What: One-day market featuring 40-plus vendors selling arts and crafts, baked goods, seasonal crops and locally produced stocking stuffers

Where: Memphis Farmers Market, southeast corner Front and G.E. Patterson, next to Central Station

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 11

Online: memphisfarmersmarket.com