Long envisioned as Portland's version of Seattle's Pike Place, the market would also provide an answer to downtown’s dearth of fresh produce. by Suzette Smith The idea to honor Portland-born chef, cookbook author, and TV show host James Beard with a public market has been in the works for decades. One previous plan put it next to the westside off-ramps of the Morrison Bridge, another considered building it on the eastside by OMSI, and yet another by the Tilikum Crossing at Zidell Yards. On Monday, Jessica Elkan, executive director of the nonprofit behind the project, announced a new location and design that would mold a locally-focused daily market and multi-use space from a pair of downtown storefronts that have stood empty for years. From the bones of a decayed Payless Shoes, grows a place for tourists and downtown Portlanders to find fresh, local fruits? Clever promoters are already calling the James Beard Public Market a kitchen to the city's "living room" Pioneer Square, which is two blocks away. As restaurateur and board member Greg Higgins put it: "Everybody likes to hang out in the kitchen." Long compared to Seattle's Pike Place in vision, plans for the James Beard market include a large vendor area on the first floor where local growers and emerging food world entrepreneurs can rent space to sell their goods. The multi-floors mock-ups for the 38,140 square foot space show areas for provisions, fish, and meat, as well as a cooking school, bookstore, bar, cheesemonger, bakery, and various prepared food vendors—be they grab-and-go or sit-down counter service.  Inside the former Rite Aid, prospective market. Suzette Smith A view of the second floor. The area below this skylight will be opened up to allow light into the market below. Suzette Smith "We're very proud of what the architects have done to bring those two buildings together through design," Elkan told the Mercury. The project is drawing from several firms, but Elkan highlighted the involvement of BCV Architects, who designed San Francisco's Ferry Building, as experts in adapting historic buildings to public markets. A tour through the empty rooms showed off the rough sketch: A "grand stair" to replace the stripped former pharmacy. An open atrium to carry sounds of the market throughout and allow light from the second floor below. Elkan and the board are in the ongoing process of raising funds for the renovation and to purchase one building from the OCF Joseph E Weston Foundation for $3 million. The other half of the market they plan to rent from Schlesinger Enterprises as part of a philanthropic deal, she said. The plan in place combines the ground floor of the historic Selling building, which hosted a Payless Shoes until 2017—and the three-story Ungar Building, which served as a Rite Aid until 2022.  It's ironic that this locally-focused market can finally grow into existence, nourished by the bones of corporate failure. Both chain stores were casualties of sweeping closures, related to bankruptcy and cost-cutting measures that claimed hundreds of their ilk nationwide. Mayor Ted Wheeler must move a bus stop. Suzette Smith Amidst a passel of enthusiastic boosters drawn to the announcement were both of Oregon’s senators, a congressperson or two, and Mayor Ted Wheeler who called the project “an energizing factor” for a beleaguered downtown. Wheeler outlined tasks he was trying to see finished before the final nine weeks of his term conclude: to facilitate the permitting process, including approval of the building's unusually large signage, and work with Trimet to move the corner bus stop, which could complicate daily deliveries. Sen. Ron Wyden thoughtfully commented "this was the dream of of a wonderful man named Ron Paul," referring to the restaurant founder who moved into the city's political sphere and championed the market project until his passing in 2015. Between Saturday Market in Old Town and Portland Farmers Market in the Portland State University park blocks, produce and provisions already have a thriving downtown foodiebase—the PSU farmers market especially feels like it's standing room only.  But those markets only pop-up on Saturdays; during the week the downtown feels deeply devoid of fresh, local food. In its final form, the James Beard Public Market will stay open every day of the year. Optimistic plans for the market have demolition commencing in January next year, with various events and pop-ups in the space filling out fall 2025. Projected completion could come as soon as late 2026.