Riverside Arts Market.

[CrysG]

There was run off from the sides on the section over ram. The section over the water had a couple of busted pipes that caused the "fountain" in the top photo. 

[grimss]

I was impressed by how quickly the "rivers" caused by the rain dissipated.  When the monsoon hit, there were major runs of water, but it really did drain away quite quickly. However, the booths that were not under the bridge got drenched.

[blizz01]

So whatever happened with the River Taxi(s)?  Is that back on board?

[grimss]

I heard there's a meeting next week with the Mayor where that issue and some others will get discussed.  Down the line, I think some floating docks right at the market would be amazing!

[Shwaz]

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I heard there's a meeting next week with the Mayor where that issue and some others will get discussed.  Down the line, I think some floating docks right at the market would be amazing!

I would love to see water access. What about opening up the dock at Fidelity? It won't allow but 1-3 boats but may prove a need for water access if busy.

[CrysG]

I think that would be amazingly cool. It would allow for people to boat down to RAM as well as opening up downtown.

I'm gonna miss RAM this Saturday. I really look forward to going every week if only to buy jam and pound cake.

[urbanlibertarian]

Fidelity would probably go for it if someone else paid for the liability insurance and repaired any damage or wear and tear to their dock.

[Shwaz]

Wouldn't Fidelity already have liability insurance for the dock?

[Steve]

Sort of - I'm guessing their insurance doesn't make mention of a water taxi

[mtraininjax]

I would love to see water access. What about opening up the dock at Fidelity? It won't allow but 1-3 boats but may prove a need for water access if busy.

That dock was built for the Chairman/CEO of fidelity (Foley), and ONLY for him. Go and land a boat there, you will see secuity guards swarm you faster than showing a firearm in an airport.

The taxi access will have to come from somewhere else.

[tayana42]

RAM reached agreement with Fidelity's Lender Processing Services Inc (they are the subsidairy which manages most of the physical plant facilities) to alllow the water taxi (not private vessels) to dock at the Fidelity Dock on Market Days.  The SSWater Taxi folks asked RAM to subsidize their operation with a monthly fee of $200, which we agreed to pay for several months to "prime the pump" and show them that it could be profitable.  Unfortunately, after we purchased 100,000 promotional brochures which showed water taxi service to/from the Market, we got a call from SSWater Taxi saying they now had to cover the cost of an insurance rider for using Fidelity's dock and that we would be the ones that must pay the $340 fee.  We offered to pay both the $200 per month subsidy and the $340 insurance rider IF they would profit share; i.e., provide us with 20% of their revenue above the $340 per day operating cost.  And we wanted our subsidy back should the monthly operation be profitable.  Seemed reasonable to me as a bussinessman; we give them help with start up, we got the dock lined up for them, and we would spend our money marketing the water taxi operation.  If it was a success, we wanted our subsidy back.  Well, SSMarine Taxi said that wasn't good enough.  So we parted ways.
Tony Allegretti has been holding discussions with SSM arine Taxi more recently and an agreement may happen.  Once the city installs the boat docks at the Market, I believe the city will require SSMarine Taxi to serve the Market. 
We are hope the Market docks will be in place in 2010.  We're also hoping the ARtists Walk extension under I-95 to Riverside Park will be completed in 2010.  These will positively impact on the market.

[BridgeTroll]

Great news...

[Charles Hunter]

Hey, tayana42, I asked this one of the other threads about RAM - 2010 will be an election year, will RAM allow candidates or causes to have campaign booths at RAM?  What about handing out campaign literature?

Love the RAM, and can't wait for it to return in the spring!!

[fsu813]

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gosh that would be awful. noone wants to listen to opposing politicans propaganda while they try and enjoy a saturday among art, music, food, and friends.

[grimss]

Even though RAM won't be back until March 6th, there WILL be action back under the bridge starting THIS Saturday with the launch of FRAM.  FRAM is a Farmers-only market at the RAM site, operated by the RAM folks, that will feature your favorite RAM Farmers, as well as many of the food artists (including the fabulous J.C.'s Breads).  Think of it as RAM Unplugged. No art, no bands, no jugglers, just the chance to support local farms by buying produce picked during our area's best growing season. (Actually, it's not completely unplugged, as I believe Tony Allegretti will be spinning some tunes as FRAM's DJ.)

The hours will be 9 am to 12 noon, and FRAM will operate every Saturday through the end of February.  Plus, you'll be able to park directly on the RAM site, so no more schlepping!  Check RAP's homepage for the inaugural FRAM newsletter and more info.

Hope to see everyone there!