Silver Spring's Fenton Street Market may have to close because the county is increasing the weekly charges for the public plaza it uses from $48 to $1,200.
Starting in 2012, the county plans to charge $125 an hour, the rate charged for large events in that space, said Ginny Gong, director of the county's Office of Community Use of Public Facilities.
The market, with about 60 vendors every Saturday from April through November, would have to pay more than $1,200 a week under the new guidelines, which market founder and director Hannah McCann -- who earns an average $36 weekly profit -- can't afford.
The market had been at the privately owned Fenton Village, where the rent was $75 a week, before moving to the public plaza in April. McCann has been paying only a $48 weekly administrative fee since then.
County officials argue that the Fenton Street Market should not get preferential treatment. Other event organizers -- including trade shows and community groups -- are interested in using the plaza, said Gong.
"Everyone who uses our public facilities needs to contribute to the cost," she said. "There's a cost to everything."
Market supporters say it benefits the local economy, drawing about 72,500 people annually and generating $1.9 million in annual revenue for neighboring businesses, according to a study commissioned by the market.
"It would be really unfortunate if the county can't work out some kind of deal," said Karen Roper of the East Silver Spring Civic Association. "They've done it for every big developer. It's time to do it for the little guy."
County Executive Ike Leggett has called the market "a great asset to our community" and "one of those rare partnerships that cost the taxpayers no money."
When County Councilman Hans Riemer, D-at large, learned that the market might close, he urged Leggett to prevent it.
"The issue of the county incurring costs is upside down," said Riemer of Silver Spring. "This is probably the smallest cost the county has had to incur for a large gain in the further development of Silver Spring."
Some vendors, like Miguel Balacios, rely on the market for their living.
"Whatever we can make in the market between sales, that's how we support ourselves," said Balacios, who sells doughnuts and crepes. "I will have to find somewhere else to go."
