Taoyuan's Zhongping Twilight Market Faces Closure; Officials Push to Restore Market Land Use

The Zhongping twilight market in Taoyuan District, a fixture for over three decades, is set to close its doors by the end of November, leaving dozens of vendors uncertain about their future. The market's closure, attributed to escalating repair costs and the landowner's intention to sell the underground space, has caused significant concern among local residents and stallholders.

Legislator Wan Mei-ling and city council candidate Si Guang-yang visited the market to understand the situation. They learned that the market, which once housed 100 stalls but now has around 40, is a vital source of fresh produce and prepared foods for many office workers and nearly 30,000 residents in eight surrounding neighborhoods. Some vendors, like an elderly couple with a granddaughter to support, expressed their distress, hoping to continue operating at least until the Lunar New Year.

Further investigation revealed that two sites, originally designated as "Market 2" and "Market 3," were rezoned in 2021 by the previous administration. Citing changes in public shopping habits and a preference for supermarkets, the land was repurposed for a park and a sports facility, respectively. This rezoning has left no legal space for a market in the area.

While the park construction on the "Market 2" site is already underway, the "Market 3" site, currently a basketball court, could potentially be reverted to market use. City officials indicated that if local consensus is reached and the economic development bureau confirms a need, the urban planning department could expedite the rezoning process, which typically takes about a year. Legislator Wan plans to convene a meeting with local community representatives to build consensus and petition Mayor Chang San-cheng to restore the "Market 3" land for market use, aiming to create a legal, model twilight market and support the existing vendors.

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There is absolutely a need for market land in the Zhongping business district.