Cohen said Friday that the deadline for submissions is April 9, and his goal is "full occupancy" by Memorial Day weekend.
But some prominent business leaders are advising Cohen to slow down and do the project thoroughly, and avoid the interim process altogether.
The Market House has been vacant or declining for upward of seven years, and sources said its condition is one of the major reasons some downtown shops are failing to attract enough customers to stay in business.
"Let's not jump into this thing again," Mike Ashford, longtime owner of McGarvey's Saloon & Oyster Bar, which is only a few feet from the Market House, said in a phone call to the mayor's office late Thursday.
Ashford said he was alarmed at the prospect of short-term tenants becoming entrenched, and keeping the Market House subpar.
Cohen said, "The goal is to achieve a bustling, fully occupied Market House by Memorial Day weekend," which is when the Naval Academy commissioning attracts thousands of visitors to Annapolis.
"I invite all proven and would-be entrepreneurs to participate in this open audition of ideas," he said. "This is the first step in the rebirth of Annapolis' waterfront as a year-round destination for city residents and visitors alike."
Cohen advised would-be occupants that leases will end "no later than Jan. 3, 2011."
"The long-term occupancy and management structure of the Market House remains undecided and will be determined by the City Council," Cohen said. "It is possible that any applicants selected for short-term occupancy may receive a long-term lease extension."
Cohen said he will consider proposals ranging from running single stalls in the 5,000-square-foot building to operating the entire building except for the BankAnnapolis space that is already occupied.
Cohen said all proposals will be subject to city ordinances and to restrictions caused by the building's limited air-conditioning capacity.
Occupants must pay their own remodeling expenses, and any renovations must be achievable within four weeks' time, according to the city.
Rent will be 5 percent of gross sales plus charges to cover maintenance and utilities.
The application includes three required sections:
An overview that includes contact information, a business concept, product offerings and a simple sketch. The city will post Section 1 of the application online after the April 9 deadline.
A description of the applicant's experience in running a business, and why the proposal would succeed.
A simple sketch of the business' floor plan, requirements for utilities and other operational requirements.
Ashford said he would like to see the Market House include a grocery store and a cafe, similar to that of Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.
He went so far as to commission artist Dona Rudderow Sturn to draw a quick sketch on Thursday night showing the building's potential. He presented the drawing to the mayor's office yesterday, he said.
Ashford said he is not looking to own, operate or invest in the operation, but he said a major overhaul of the Market House is essential to revitalizing downtown Annapolis.
Alderman Richard Israel, the District 1 Democrat who represents the area surrounding the Market House, said there is no alternative but to do the project in two phases as Cohen is suggesting, since the City Council last year approved leases for existing tenants.
"There area already short-term leases - we approved those at the request of the last administration," Israel said.
In an interview earlier this week, city spokesman Phill McGowan said several different businesses have expressed interest in the Market House.
McGowan would not say who they were, but Harvey Blonder, a downtown businessman and landlord with several properties around Annapolis and elsewhere, said he and his two sons have offered to lease and run the property.
The Market House underwent renovation after it was flooded by Tropical Storm Isabel in September 2003, but some systems, such as the air conditioning, were inadequate, and many tenants abandoned the building.
Eventually the city regained control of the building, but not until paying a $2.5 million settlement.
Anyone interested in obtaining information about the leasing process or submitting an application should contact Marcelle Lee at 410-263-7944 or MYLee@annapolis.gov.
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-03-20 14:11:07
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-03-20 04:58:26
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Angie - 2010-03-19 23:15:15
The Blonder family does not run a candy store, The run Yellowfin , Big Fish , Red Sky, Buddys Crabs and Ribs and Fat Boys . All have won awards. Get your facts straight. Al
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AL GOODMAN - ANNAPOLIS, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-03-19 22:58:54
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Blonders - 2010-03-19 18:28:25
Yuck I don't know the blonders but that Buddy's place is cruddy! I ate there and got sick for days!
And the candy store is growdy too! I used to work downtown and I didn't like those places. I like shopping and eating downtown but not at those places. Do they own others?YUCKY
I would never eat at the market house if they had stores in there!
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angie frantom - , - Karma: Neutral
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market house - 2010-03-18 15:57:36
One word , NO!
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jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Terrible
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-03-17 12:33:11
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Do we want a market house? - 2010-03-17 10:58:28
Do we want a market house or a food court?
The old market place was a fun and interesting experience. We liked the rustic, not so perfect atmosphere. There was a raw bar where you could get shucked oysters, the best chicken and potato wedges in the state, you could get some light groceries, or flowers, or pizza or ice cream. Not to mention the cheeses and fresh bread.
Sure the floor was worn, the paint was chipped and it was a little crowded at times but that was the charm. But who could resist the temptation to buy the goodies when hit smack in the face with those delicious smells?
Now we have a cold, antiseptic food court like you find at every mall in the county. I have been in the new market just once, and probably not going back.
Its time to make the place fun and interesting again.
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John Taylor - Millersville, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Markethouse - 2010-03-16 20:51:48
I read this interesting article and find myself writing to urge Mayor Cohen and the city council to listen to the sage advice offered by Mr. Ashford. It will be critical to get this right this time around and, although timeliness is desirable, creating the appropriate conditions in a revitalized Markethouse is more important than speed. Face it, you've been living with this for a long time already and if it's screwed up again, you could be living with it alot longer. I would listen carefully to Mr. Ashford and the proposals of the Blonder's. They seem to me to be complimentary and these men are old pro's with deep roots in the community. If anyone knows what to do, I think they would. A green grocery, with an extensive highlighting of fresh seafoods, would be highly beneficial to the downtown community and perfectly consistent with Annapolis' strong identification with the Chesapeake Bay. Combining that with a sophisticated cafe would be icing on the cake. Do it, but do it right.
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Thomas Stubblefield - Gambrills, MD - Karma: Neutral
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birken$tocks - 2010-03-16 16:09:48
Have you seen the price of Birkenstocks lately ? they are for the well-heeled : ) .
anyway, raw milk cheese has much more flavor and depth that pasturized cheese. It is for those of us willing to step out on the edge to achieve a peak experience, sort of like eating offal it is for the few not the many.
Annapolis is not ready for either raw milk cheese or a great offal chef.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Raw Milk - 2010-03-16 14:58:52
won't be found in the refrigerators of gourmands, rather the Birkenstock wearing folk that want to be one with nature.
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Mary Ann Donnell - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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raw anne's - 2010-03-16 12:59:39
I can read ole chap, I know of that little ann's hole-in-the-wall. It belongs on glen burnie.
and another thing. All of us true gourmands know that raw milk would be illegal if we did not know the way around the law. Great raw milk and raw milk cheese ( pedestrian eaters would not know about this stuff) is readily available--it is labeled (wink, wink) petfood ONLY.
A little too hip for annapolis to wrap its head around. I therefore retract that suggestion.
But Dairy Queen is what I meant.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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Mary Ann - 2010-03-16 11:57:03
^5 Good Post! Its sad, but some posters here would rather not get their facts right.
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Shubbie - 2010-03-16 11:37:55
It is illegal to sell raw milk products in Maryland. Also, I believe that Jen said Anne's Dairy Cream not Dairy Queen. Anne's is the little institution on Ritchie Hwy that sell's sub and foot longs with chilli.
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Mary Ann Donnell - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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18.60 a pound ? - 2010-03-16 09:10:42
I am sorry to go on. But I would also like to see more moderate pricing. last time I was there I bought two little cookies ( i mean little!!) 2.10----they were 18.60 per pound!!! Not even a speck of gold leaf !!!
and then there was the 5.00 lemonade ( they are gone now) and the 2.65 muffin. stupid prices!!!
Thanks for listening Joshie.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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soft serve - 2010-03-16 08:56:16
and I am not such the corporate fan but a little dairy queen ( an american icon)would be great-- I had a peanutbuster parfait last night and I was in ecstasy.
Soft serve is underrepresented in our fair city- - the line would probably run out into the streets. Or an italian ice franchise--like the one that cop accused of child sex abuse owned ( whatever happened with that case).
But DEFINITELY local tomatoes--maybe half of the market could be set up for local ( no more that 60 miles away) produce and lamb ( and raw milk products)
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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jen - 2010-03-16 08:49:45
I like your rough draft jen, maybe we can hook up soon and we can fill in your details.
It would be great to get one of the hispanic food truck chefs to set a little stall in there. They make great authentic food ( yummy pupusa) and would be a great way of welcoming our local latino brothers and sisters into the anglo-dominated downtown area. I'm not so much into homestead, I would like to see Matt Weller ( of general's highway fame) take a crack at something in there too.
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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My personal picks - 2010-03-16 08:09:35
Anns Dairy Cream
Carlsons Bakery or local Bread Company
Coffee / Tea Caf
Cheep Cheep Chicken
Giolitti Delicatessen
Farmers Market / In-season seafood Market Local ONLY
Homestead Gardens outlet
Space for local restaurants to trade off every month to expose their businesses
Outside space for tables and chairs
Outside space for local artists to play music, demonstrate their personal art (i.e. magician) show art.
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Jen Rhoades - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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....and 5 years from now... - 2010-03-13 11:58:57
This same story, in different contexts, has been reported on ever since the renovations began after Isabell; and in my opinion it will be for years to come. The Market House will continue to be the bain existence for the City and its' residents until a stop is put on temporary fixes, and the City moves forward with a permanent fix, NOW!
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Edward Casey - Crofton, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Good idea - 2010-03-13 11:56:11
The Mayor is listening and acting. No temporary business should become 'entrenched', without comprehensive review of a long term business proposal. It is a sound idea to make short term use of the space, particularly in the spring and summer. Farmers markets through out the County offer a variety of goods from fresh produce, cheeses, flowers and prepared foods. The markets are seasonal and a good timel line match for the space. Using the space temporarily reflects the vibrant nature of Annapolis. Seeking the a permanent tenant should be in process. Prominent business leaders, particularly those in commercial real estate, could be offering pro bono advice. The City and it's taxpayers have invested a great deal of money in the space. This is a premier location, the structure is attractive and sound and basic mechanical systems installed. The space is available, the tenant can do the build out. This space should be utilized, as soon as possible. Start, RFP the bidding.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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brain surgery - 2010-03-13 09:14:42
geeze louise what is wrong with these mayors. did they not already have a little market house pow wow not too long ago. and a Bank ? what next an Rx counter and a hair salon.
Stop overthinking !!!
recall cohen !!!
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Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible
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market house - 2010-03-13 08:58:04
they should have never changed the market house. the old market house was fine the way it was
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terry tommy - davidsonville, md - Karma: Neutral
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