Originally Uploaded to flickr by EvinDC
The sentiment in this post’s title was conveyed at Monday night’s Eastern Market Task Force community meeting by long-time Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) member Tom Kuchenberg to sum up the current state of affairs among Eastern Market stakeholders. “We have a treaty,” he said, indicating that relations between the indoor vendors, the outdoor vendors and the farmers’ line vendors are the best they’ve been and that these groups are committed to working together, with Councilmember Wells and the city government to move forward and take the next steps toward keeping Eastern Market great.
Kuchenberg’s comments refer to the days when the various vendors, community and management were all warring factions rather than a united front. Thankfully, those days are over, but the Market is still in need of a strategy and management plan. Currently, the Market falls under the purview of DC’s Department of Real Estate Services, and Barry Margeson is the Market Manager and by most accounts, this arrangement is functional and most vendors are happy with it. However, the Market is not a self-sustaining entity and the city isn’t really interested in or capable of managing the market. As Margeson said, last year, it brought in approximately $600,000 in revenue, but required $800,000 in operating costs. The capital expenses to keep the Market up and running are huge, and in a time when the DC City Council has 17+ hour meetings to figure out how to cut spending – alternatives and additions to city funding must be sought. Currently, the Market is funded by revenue generated from the vendors via stall costs, facility rentals (the North Hall), and funding from the city.
In February, Councilmember Wells convened a Task Force made up of diverse stakeholders, to develop a strategy and governance structure that he could take to the Council and propose legislation to move forward. Monday night’s meeting was the last opportunity for direct public input in the process. (Wells did suggest that he would like ANC 6B to seek public input on their recommendation, which will be heard by the Council once legislation is proposed.) The Task Force didn’t come to tell us what they’ve decided, which seemed to ruffle the feathers of some attendees. Frankly, since this process isn’t quite over and they were seeking input (rather than reporting their decision) I’d have been a little upset if they came with their minds already made up.
There were slightly over 40 community members in attendance, in addition to Councilmember Wells and the Task Force. Almost all of the attendees had suggestions to share. The concerns that were voiced most frequency suggested that the transition must move slowly and thoughtfully to prevent budget shortfalls, and to take into account the fact that the Market is not yet self-sustaining. There was also a great deal of discussion around the topic of just who this new governing board would consist of, and how would all of the various interests be represented. I was again impressed with our community’s willingness to take constructive suggestions to the table – rather than simply gripes and complaints.
From here, the process will be more formal, with Wells hoping to introduce legislation at the end of January 2011. At that time, look for ANC 6B to seek public comment so that it may inform its recommendations to the Council. It is not expected that there will be an RFP for new Market management, as it is likely that the decision will be to establish a new Board to govern the Market.
The city could easily raise revenue by ticketing the multitude of cars parked illegally on the blocks surrounding the market. These cars impede traffic and endanger public safety.
Andy, this would make sense if the neighborhood wasn’t already one of the most patrolled & most ticketed in the city.
Try walking around the neighborhood on Sat. and Sun. Count the number of cars from other jurisdictions parked illegally. Take note of how long they remain parked without any tickets. This is the case EVERY weekend.
If you don’t live in the immediate vicinity, I can see how easy it is to dismiss this as “out of sight, out of mind.”
So, we want to discourage people from out of town from coming and spending money in our neighborhood? I’m not saying anyone should get to park illegally without consequence but maybe the answer is performance parking on the streets immediately around the market, like on Barracks Row and on 7th street, with the revenue going to the Market?
You’ve unearthed my true intentions- turning the Market into a barren wasteland….
Perhaps those from out of town could take the Metro! I believe there is a stop quite close to the market…
You can not force people to take Metro (or the bus, or CaBi… etc). And, a lot of people drive to the Market specifically b/c they are spending a lot of money on heavy/bulky things and want to be able to easily transport those to their homes.
I think performance parking on 8th, C, NC, and maybe near-in Independence would be a great workable solution. If they don’t pay THEN ticket them. It’s win-win.
The actual enforcement of parking regulations would lead many to use Metro. The number of individuals who drivers who do so to make large purchases is rather small from what I have seen.
If you can devise a performance parking system that doesn’t screw over local residents, I’d love to see it.
Easy, cars w/ Ward 6 stickers are exempt.
The bottom line is that the people who chose to move near the Market knew what they were getting into parking-wise on the weekends. Not saying it’s right not to enforce the rules, but penalizing people who might run over the allotted 2 hours while they’re spending their money at our local retailers doesn’t help anyone.
To explain in better detail:
Pay to park would be on the south side of C Street (West of 7th); the north side would be Ward Six only – no pay.
On 8th Street, in front of Hine, it would be pay to park – opposite side would be Ward 6 unpaid.
On NC Ave, in front of the pool would be pay to park and Ward 6 unpaid would be in front of turtle park.
So a possible solution would be that you would charge a small amount more on the weekends (above and beyond the usual hourly rate) at the meters and that amount would be set aside for the Market.
Residents would still be able to park – probably more easily – b/c there would be free parking reserved just for them.
“penalizing people who might run over the allotted 2 hours while they’re spending their money at our local retailers doesn’t help anyone.”
Are you kidding me? Those who live near the Market should simply accept unsafe streets for walking and driving? Enforcing regulations designed for public safety serves no public good? Lovely NIMBY attitude you have. Illegally parked cars have contributed to 3 accidents at 8th and A that I have witnessed.
Your argument is akin to stating that those who live near Harris Teeter have little to complain about- they knew what they were getting into crime-wise.
Um, no. It’s pretty much the opposite of NIMBY – I WANT them in my back yard spending their money!
No one said anything about unsafe streets, Andy. They need more options for parking though, and not less. Telling them to just take Metro isn’t the solution.
You want them spending money yet shrug your shoulders at lax parking enforcement, enforcement which creates safety hazards. Drivers park the entire length of the sidewalk, obstructing the views of pedestrians and other drivers.
My message is to park within regulations or take the Metro. I’m sorry the logic of striking a balance between public safety and business is lost on you.
Yes, Andy. To hell with safety. THAT is exactly what I’m saying.
Drivers need options – and for many Metro is not an option, for whatever reason. I never said I don’t want enforcement, but I agree with eli that it’s already an area that has excellent enforcement (I work on 7th street, so I’m right here, across from the Market, every single day) does not need to turn into something draconian that will discourage people from coming here.
The area will remain unsafe as long as it has apologists such as yourself your label any and all enforcement “draconian.”
A balance can be found; however, the suggestion that we should all throw our hands in the air or that local residents have it coming to them will impede any solution.
Andy,
It sounds like you just want people to take the Metro.
People can certainly drive to the Market. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask that drivers park in legally defined spots or find other modes of transportation. I can’t imagine driving to Georgetown, Shirlington, Clarendon, etc. and blocking fire hydrants or crosswalks…..with the expectation that this is permissible and I will not be ticketed.