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.
Showing posts with label Eastern Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eastern Market. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Eastern Market - The Day After
Yesterday members of the Capitol Hill community were overcome by emotion watching our beloved Eastern Market in flames. remembering years past and wondering what comes next. Today, we must focus on something extremely important. While we will miss the shopping, the emotional satisfaction and the neighborhood presence of Eastern Market, at least for the next few months, let us not forget those whose livelihood really depends on this historic landmark.
The vendors are the lifeblood of Eastern Market. Their small businesses suppy the goods, the personality and the character to improve our quality of life. Now, it is their quality of life that is threatened. Let's all come together as a community to support them. Not only do we need to show up in force this weekend to support the outdoor vendors, but we need to assist the indoor vendors, who have lost more than we can even imagine.
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation, run by Nicky Cymrot, has set up a fund to assist the vendors and help them stay afloat until they can reopen their businesses. The building can be rebuilt, but the businesses need our help to weather this storm. Let's do our part to help those who need us the most. To contribute, click here.
The vendors are the lifeblood of Eastern Market. Their small businesses suppy the goods, the personality and the character to improve our quality of life. Now, it is their quality of life that is threatened. Let's all come together as a community to support them. Not only do we need to show up in force this weekend to support the outdoor vendors, but we need to assist the indoor vendors, who have lost more than we can even imagine.
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation, run by Nicky Cymrot, has set up a fund to assist the vendors and help them stay afloat until they can reopen their businesses. The building can be rebuilt, but the businesses need our help to weather this storm. Let's do our part to help those who need us the most. To contribute, click here.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Eastern Market Is Gone
I write this in shock and grief for our beloved Eastern Market.
Early this morning, setting out on my usual run, there was a strong smell of smoke permeating the clear air of a gorgeous Washington spring morning. As I turned the corner, there were what seemed like dozens of police cars and fire engines. Heading from North Carolina Avenue on to 7th Street SE, I could not believe my eyes. Eastern Market, the keystone of our Capitol Hill neighborhood and one of my favorite spots since since childhood, was burned and destroyed. Flames tore through the roof of the recently restored building, and from peering inside, I could see that there was very little left.
Words do not come easily this morning, as I try to take in the tremendous loss to our city and to our neighborhood. Without Eastern Market, the centerpiece of Capitol Hill, our local community is without its anchor. Witnessing such complete devastation and destruction feels like having my childhood home burn to the ground.
Mayor Fenty was on the scene, making me feel very proud to have him as our mayor. In the few minutes he and I spoke, I felt the deepness of his sincerity for the loss of one of Washington, DC's, most important historic landmarks. He assured me that the city will rebuild and that the community will be involved.
If it were up to me, I would choose to have Eastern Market put back together just the way it was. The small businesses, the old ceiling fans, the bluebucks, and even the dirt and grit. Some things just shouldn't change.
If anyone feels clear headed enough to suggest what we should do now to make Eastern Market come back to life, feel free to post here, and I will share with Councilmember Wells, who I know is as deeply saddened by this, as well, and was on-scene at 2AM to offer support to the fire fighters.
Early this morning, setting out on my usual run, there was a strong smell of smoke permeating the clear air of a gorgeous Washington spring morning. As I turned the corner, there were what seemed like dozens of police cars and fire engines. Heading from North Carolina Avenue on to 7th Street SE, I could not believe my eyes. Eastern Market, the keystone of our Capitol Hill neighborhood and one of my favorite spots since since childhood, was burned and destroyed. Flames tore through the roof of the recently restored building, and from peering inside, I could see that there was very little left.
Words do not come easily this morning, as I try to take in the tremendous loss to our city and to our neighborhood. Without Eastern Market, the centerpiece of Capitol Hill, our local community is without its anchor. Witnessing such complete devastation and destruction feels like having my childhood home burn to the ground.
Mayor Fenty was on the scene, making me feel very proud to have him as our mayor. In the few minutes he and I spoke, I felt the deepness of his sincerity for the loss of one of Washington, DC's, most important historic landmarks. He assured me that the city will rebuild and that the community will be involved.
If it were up to me, I would choose to have Eastern Market put back together just the way it was. The small businesses, the old ceiling fans, the bluebucks, and even the dirt and grit. Some things just shouldn't change.
If anyone feels clear headed enough to suggest what we should do now to make Eastern Market come back to life, feel free to post here, and I will share with Councilmember Wells, who I know is as deeply saddened by this, as well, and was on-scene at 2AM to offer support to the fire fighters.
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