Community Meets to Discuss Eastern Market
Several hundred citizens turned out on Monday evening in support of the effort to quickly rebuild Eastern Market, and to share their feelings on a temporary location for the displaced vendors. Mayor Adrian Fenty, At-large council members David Catania and Phil Mendelson, Ward 6 council member Tommy Wells, city administrator Dan Tangherlini, and District 3 School Board member Lisa Raymond turned out to show their support too, as well as to canvass the opinions of Hill residents. Unsurprisingly, people were pretty vocal and passionate about their visions for the market.
Just a week after the tragic fire that gutted the 134 year-old structure, some wounds were still fresh, and tears flowed during the meeting at Hine Jr. High School more than once. Attendees enthusiastically supported the market vendors, most of whom were in attendance. Fittingly, nearly all the attendees backed a plan approved by all of the South Hall vendors that calls for a temporary market to be sited in the parking lot at Hine (where the flea market sets up on the weekend). Far more popular than the options for a temporary market on 7th Street between North Carolina Ave. and C St. SE and the Eastern Market Metro Plaza, the Hines site, according to the vendors, "preserved the market" close to its current space, and would allow the mutual benefit for the 7th street businesses. It would also provide minimal disruption to the weekend vendors, and provide "better parking, loading, and unloading facilities" than the other options. They also noted that the site would "keep the reconstruction progress visible" to vendors and customers alike.
The temporary structure itself was also a topic of extended discussion. Most urged that the structure be obviously temporary -- a feeling that stemmed from concerns that rebuilidng would languish while vendors were housed in a comfortable temporary location. City plans call for something similar to the structures offered by the company Sprung, which appealed to some. Suggestions that the structure be energy efficient was met with some applause, but one gentleman who requested that the structure have arches and round windows reflective of the Market itself was met with open boos. Most attendees were insistent that the building be inexpensive, able to be constructed quickly, safely, and so ugly that people would be clamoring to tear it down once it served its purpose.
Apart from some concerns about deliveries, trash collection, vermin, preservation of the tennis courts, and functional bathrooms, a lot of discussion was devoted to the weekend closure of 7th Street. Many people wanted the street closed between North Carolina and Pennsylvania Ave. on weekends, though some preferred a partial closure that would leave the portion between Pennsylvania and C open. Last weekend's market extended into the street, and was warmly received by vendors and customers alike. Council memer Wells also supported the weekend closure, expressing his pleasure for the expanded space when we spoke with him on Saturday.
Officials maintained the prospective timeline of 18-24 months for the market's reconstruction, though Wells' chief of staff said they hoped it would be completed in closer to 12. The timeline for the temporary structure was "end of the summer," according to Mayor Fenty--a proposal that elicited grumbles for the attendees who evidently would like to see it up sooner.
"Our overarching goal is to ensure that we lose no vendors. Not one," said both Fenty and Wells. Last night's city-wide happy hour will go part of the way to helping achieve that goal, but expedient action on the part of the city is needed to ensure it. Thus far, the Mayor and Council's response has been quick and sincere, and we hope it continues to be so. It's doubtful that Hillizens will let the city slow peddle the reconstruction or bungle the temporary site, however, if Monday night's showing is any indicator.
What are your thoughts on the temporary structure and the market reconstruction? The city has set up a webpage to track the market's progress, and to let citizens submit what Fenty described as "middle of the night" suggestions. For diurnal ideas, hit us up in the comments. Also, check out our map of the proposed sites and closures.
Photo courtesy of FredoAlvarez.