Amarillo’s downtown district is undergoing significant change, perhaps even more dramatic change than we’ve witnessed at City Hall during the past year or so.

Amarillo Community Market opened today.

It brings together artisans and food producers to sell produce and assorted goods to customers who wander downtown to browse and buy. Check out the link right here:

http://mix941kmxj.com/the-amarillo-community-market-opens-on-july-9th/

Will this concept succeed? Will it flourish? Will it become part of downtown’s fabric?

No one knows.

However, it does remind me of the kinds of urban projects that have succeeded over many years. I like to use my hometown of Portland, Ore., as an example where a touch of innovation can take root and grow into something quite grand.

Portland’s Saturday Market began more than 40 years ago at the west end of one of the many bridges that span the Willamette River. It was little more than a small flea market — or a glorified yard sale.

Today? It’s huge, man. It has become part of Portland’s urban culture.

I’m not a futurist. I cannot predict what’ll happen in the next day, let alone in the next year, or next decade.

But the signs of change in Amarillo’s thinking about its downtown district give me hope that there might be a place for a Community Market to grow into something significant for the city.

Hey, come to think of it … aren’t we still planning to build that multipurpose event venue downtown?

Gosh, the MPEV well might serve as the perfect venue for this Community Market once it’s complete.

Don’t you think?