The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC), provides feedback from the community to the city on issues related to Eastern Market. The city is required, by law, to consider those recommendations.
The architect for Eastern Market’s restoration, Quinn Evans, has developed conceptual design plans for the new construction. These are attached. Of course, these plans include 21st century improvements such as air conditioning, more efficient heating, and a painfully belated sprinkler system. The plans are based on the pre-fire designs available for review. The District government has established a timeline for the architectural and engineering plans to be completed in September.
The next EMCAC meeting will consider what advice the community will give to the city. All interested parties are invited to weigh in by commenting through this blog or attending the meeting in person. EMCAC agenda’s always provide opportunities for feedback from anyone wishing to add to the discussion.
Some key questions under discussion in the Capital Improvements Subcommittee have included:
1) Whether the skylights at the roof top should be covered. Originally, it appears that there were windows across the top of the roof. (There is a picture on page 1.1 of the plans.) These were covered up sometime before World War I. It is not clear that the building ever operated with open skylights. While restoring the windows may bring the building closer to the original vision, direct sunlight on food would affect freshness and give a washed out appearance.
2) What is the best approach toward outside lighting? Should it rely on interior light to create a glow at night? Should lighting be installed on the outside of the farmers line shed to highlight external features. Should the lights within the shed be considered a standard part of nighttime lighting? What affect would that decision have on the aesthetics and safety of the market area.
3) Can we improve pedestrian access from West Side (next to the swimming pool)? Where is the best place for the chimney and the dumpsters that now partially block pedestrian access? Can legal and technical issues be overcome?
4) Should there be vestibules (double doors) at public entrances. This would improve energy efficiency, but would be out of place in a historic building. They may also be impractical given the narrow doorways. It has been suggested that perhaps there would be one vestibule at the main East side entrance.
5) Should there be blinds, shades or other darkeners on the windows? These might provide some energy savings in the summer, but would detract from the historic nature of the building. What type of e-glass, glazing, fritted patterns or other modern techniques would lessen the direct sunlight from the windows?
Conceptual Design Part I. Introduction and Photographs
Conceptual Design Part II. Roof and Skylight Restoration
Conceptual Design Part III. Exterior Lighting, Site Alterations, Door/Window Restoration
Conceptual Design Part IV. Interior Lights, HVAC, Basement plans
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