Tonight I attended what may have been one of the largest community meetings in the history of DC. My guess is that more than 1,000 people came out to Hine Junior High School to meet, debate and collaborate on the future of Eastern Market. Mayor Fenty, along with Councilmembers Catania, Mendelson and Wells, along with their staffs, were in attendance to listen and learn from community members and vendors. In the week since the fire, much homework and planning have been done, and several options that would provide a temporary location for the market while the rebuilding is underway have been researched. The three options presented were:
1) Closing 7th Street in order to house a temporary indoor market
2) Placing the market in the school yard of Hine Junior High School
3) Locating the market near the Eastern Market Metro stop on the other side of Penn. Ave.
Mayor Fenty's community-minded approach to solving urgent problems is admirable. He gave the community three options, and essentially let us take the future into our own hands. This was similar to his approach at the Temple Courts housing project. When a politician listens to an engaged community, Democracy flourishes in its purist form. It was an impressive and inspiring evening.
As for my decision on where to house the market: The site in the school yard of Hine Junior High School seems to be the best approach, and it is the choice of the displaced Eastern Market vendors. It provides room for trucks to deliver goods, leaves traffic unaffected, and still allows for plenty of space for childeren to play in the yard. Where do you want to see the temporary market? Contact the mayor or leave your comments here and I will let him know.
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