Downtown Monroe will soon feature a market along the existing river-walk on the Ouachita River. The Downtown RiverMarket will be a French-style market featuring a farmer’s market, up to 87 vendors and pavilions where people can host parties and events.

The RiverMarket will provide people who do not have a store front a place to sell their goods each week.

The goal is to attract local residents while also promoting tourism in the area. Directors of the Downtown Economic Development District hope the new market will be the start that leads to completely revitalizing downtown Monroe.

“We have been told by many other cities that developed their downtowns that it was done with a farmer’s market as the catalyst,” DEDD Director Myra Gatling-Akers said.

The RiverMarket is believed to help the economy by bringing people to the area. Once here, it is hoped that people will shop the market, buy gas and visit other attractions in the area.

Shopping and entertainment is hoped to appeal to college student.

“The RiverMarket could really help Monroe be a better city,” said Caitlin Fuller, a senior general studies major from West Monroe. “It’s definitely something I want to check out when it opens.”

Fuller hand-makes jewelry and is interested in seeing what other locals will bring to Monroe’s culture.

The RiverMarket, which was contracted by Barron Construction and designed by Jerry Madden from S.E. Huey Co., is estimated to cost about $1 million.

Gatling-Akers said the market is expected to be finished at the end of September and open in October. After the RiverMarket opens, it will be open on Saturdays from October to December. Next year, it will be open Saturdays from April through December.