Nonprofit organization Fisherman’s Mark has made a formal offer to purchase the former Closson Homestead Farm Market from the City of Lambertville, Mayor Andrew Nowick said on Thursday.
The city and Fisherman’s Mark have entered into negotiations over the sale of the North Main Street (Route 29) market property, a statement said.
The mayor said the transaction is under consideration due to a zoning exception, as the market area does not fall under the open space conservation restrictions that apply to the majority of the property, which is now Holcombe Park. The rest of the property, including the barn and historic housing would remain public land.
For the past three years, Fisherman’s Mark has leased the property from the city to support its food assistance programs for the area’s vulnerable populations.
With the goal of not only to continue but also expand the operations, Fisherman’s Mark has proposed to purchase the site, the mayor said.
“Fisherman’s Mark provides valuable services to residents of the City and surrounding communities, and the City recognizes the importance of allowing these services to continue at a site that is well-suited to accommodate the needs of both Fisherman’s Mark and its clients,” the city’s press release said.
The move follows the 2021 acquisition of the 8.5-acre property by the city for $2.8 million, which was then described by then-Mayor Julia Fahl as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to preserve a significant portion of undeveloped land in city. Open space funds were used to help fund the purchase.
Credit: City of Lambertville
The Closson family sold the land and closed their popular market because they were retiring.
The city’s Thursday statement said: “The City and Fisherman’s Mark look forward to continuing their discussions in the hope of presenting the public a great project that will significantly benefit the residents of the City.”
The mayor promised that further details of this proposed sale will be disclosed as negotiations progress.
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