After a fire gutted Eastern Market last April, the stretch of 7th Street SE adjacent to the market building was closed off on weekends to accommodate vendors, construction of the temporary East Hall and reconstruction of the South Hall. In an interview on WTOP (link to audiostream) last week, Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells said he wants to keep 7th Street that way. The Hill picked up the story on Wednesday, and the Hilleast…

If anyone was worried that the crowds wouldn’t come back to Eastern Market, fear not — they’re back, and in larger numbers than before. Today’s inauguration of the East Hall — the $1.5 million tent-like temporary structure that will house the displaced vendors until the South Hall is renovated — saw a steady crowd of shoppers and gawkers alike, including Mayor Adrian Fenty. Meanwhile, across the street the South Hall remained boarded up and…

Construction of the temporary building at Eastern Market has begun, though somewhat behind schedule. The Examiner reports that the estimated opening date of the temporary building that will house the South Market vendors has been pushed back to mid-August, even though Mayor Fenty promised the vendors they’d have a new home by the end of July. According to the article, delays in construction have been caused by delays in manufacturing of the steel for the…