A permanent fresh food market in downtown Chicago may soon be a reality.

The developer of a planned shopping center at Metra rail’s Ogilvie Transportation Center says the market and a national retailer have signed on to the project.

Metra decided 5 years ago to develop the 200,000 square feet below the train platforms.

Metra Board Chairman Jeffrey Ladd says it’s been difficult to get stores to fill that space.

“I would have liked to have seen it happen sooner,” Ladd says. “I mean, this has been a big dream of mine for some time now. I mean, to have an open market in downtown Chicago would be a great thing.”

But Ladd will have to wait a bit longer.

No timetable has been set for the market’s opening.