EMCAC Minutes - April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee
Minutes
Rumsey Aquatic Center
April 23, 2008
Present: Chuck Burger, Bill Glasgow, Angie Brunson; Barbara Eck, Monte Edwards, Larry Gallo, Tom Kuchenberg, Richard Layman, Ellen Opper-Weiner, Donna Scheeder
Absent: Ken Jarboe
The meeting was convened at 7:04 p.m.
1. Agenda
Motion: Mr. Burger moved/Ms. Eck seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.
Mr. Edwards suggested that the Department of Transportation report be postponed until DDOT representatives arrived at the meeting. Ms. Opper-Weiner suggested that there be discussion of the street closing permit, which expires in a few weeks. Ms. Scheeder suggested that the discussion of the street closing permit be added to the agenda under the report from OPM. and that the report be moved up on the agenda to item 4. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
2. Minutes
Motion: Mr. Kuchenberg moved/Mr. Glasgow seconded a motion to approve the March minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Office of Property Management
South Hall
Curtis Clay, of OPM, delivered the following report:
1. The South Hall roof is approximately 75% complete. A technical issue regarding the expansion joints in the gutters has been resolved. Slate installation is getting underway, and the South Hall roof is expected to be completed in late May.
2. The contract for the North Hall roof has been negotiated with Minkoff, and work will begin following the completion of the South Hall roof, with an estimated completion in August. The slate for the North Hall and South Hall will match.
3. The window work is approximately 60% complete. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPE) has informed OPM that the lighter tint glass be used in the South Hall and that clear glass be used in the North Hall. The window renovation should be completed late June and the art work will be reinstalled prior to the completion of the job.
4. The main renovation contract has been awarded to Forney Enterprises; a series of meetings is in the process of being planned to coordinate with various constituencies.
Ms. Scheeder said that using tinted glass will be in keeping with the building’s historic designation as a fresh food market. The designation recognizes—and is quite clear—that the use of the South Hall has to take into account those things that are necessary to protect the sale of fresh food. Mr. Glasgow said that he has talked to Baird Smith, and if the glass is not adequate and there’s too much light, shades can be an option.
Mr. Clay then discussed the locking of the windows, and presented a “school” type lock that would lock with a pole. Mr. Edwards said that he would like to share the lock with the merchants and asked whether there were photographs available. Mr. Glasgow pointed out that people have gotten in through the windows. Ms. Scheeder authorized Mr. Edwards to respond to OPM on the locks in a timely fashion.
With the arrival of Karinna Ricks, Mr. Edwards requested that the floor be given to Capitol Improvements and the report on the streetscape. The OPM report was interrupted for the Capital Improvement Subcommittee discussion with DDOT.
4. Capital Improvements Subcommittee
7th Street Streetscape
Mr. Edwards presented a report of meeting that had been held with DDOT about the planning for the streetscape:
Subject: Seventh Street Rehabilitation Project
Date: April 21, 2008
Participants: Donna Scheeder, EMCAC
Monte Edwards, EMCAC
Kenneth Golding, Market Row Merchants
Karina Ricks, DDOT
Said Cherifi, DDOT
Christopher Delfs, DDOT
Summary
On April 21, 2008, the Chair of the Capital Improvements Subcommittee for the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) and the Chair of EMCAC met with DDOT staff to discuss the status of the upcoming rehabilitation of 7th Street between North Carolina Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue SE, and to follow up on a handful of outstanding items outlined in the EMCAC Report dated March 26, 2008.
1. Vending: DDOT recognizes that vending is currently taking place on the closed portion of 7th Street between North Carolina Avenue and C Street SE. In order to accommodate this situation, DDOT will phase work one street side at a time and make its best efforts to communicate construction activities and scheduling according to the requirements in the contract bid documents.
2. Development of the Hine Site: DDOT agrees to adjust the scope of work to remove segments of 7th Street and D Street where the redevelopment will occur at the Hine site. This adjustment will allow a reallocation of resources to other facets of the design plan.
3. Street Lighting along North Carolina Avenue: DDOT will issue a change order to the contract that incorporates additional pedestrian lighting on North Carolina Avenue adjacent to the Eastern Market North Plaza.
4. Bicycle Parking: References to bicycle lockers in the project specifications are errors; bicycle locker installation is not planned along 7th Street. DDOT will work with EMCAC and the Market Row Merchants to select locations for additional standard DC bicycle racks.
5. Bluestone Curbs: DDOT confirms that construction contractors will be directed to maintain existing historic bluestone curbs around the Market and to replace granite segments around the Market with as much bluestone as is available from other areas within the project site.
6. Period Light Fixture: DDOT confirms that an electric light fixture, replicating the appearance of a historic gas lamp, will be installed at the Market corner (northwest corner) of 7th and C Street SE.
7. Special Manhole Covers: In 2006, DDOT submitted an application for FHWA Transportation Enhancement funds to pay for the fabrication and installation of customized manhole covers featuring the design furnished by Edge Advertising. The application was approved and a total of $50,000 was granted for implementation. DDOT will issue a change order to the 7th Street rehabilitation contract to integrate the special manhole covers into the project work. Please note that the number of manhole covers produced will depend on final cost figures, but it was initially estimated that $50,000 would comprise approximately 40-50 covers.
8. 7th Street Pavement Materials: Eastern Market stakeholders have asked DDOT to consider substituting another material (in lieu of asphalt) for the roadway surface on 7th Street between North Carolina and C Street. DDOT has communicated that the use of another surface material such as unit pavers would necessitate a redesign of the roadway foundation and result in significant time delays to the project. As an alternative, all participants at the meeting agreed that it may be acceptable to use a colored and textured asphalt treatment to achieve the goal of highlighting the block as a pedestrian-oriented Market space. This asphalt treatment is considerably more expensive than standard asphalt; however the cost savings yielded by Hine-related scope changes should keep the project within budget.
9. Timing of the Construction Project: DDOT understands that the peak sales periods for the Market fall between Easter and June, and Thanksgiving to New Years Day. Therefore, DDOT will do its best to perform its construction in vendor areas during the summer and fall between June and November. However, DDOT’s ability to fit within this timeframe relies heavily on contracting and procurement approvals. DDOT recommends that EMCAC partner with the Office of Councilmember Wells to make sure approvals occur expeditiously.
Karina Ricks of DDOT arrived, and was introduced… She discussed the coordination of construction with the streetscape. Ms. Ricks said that it will be valuable to have a Construction Advisory Committee, and it will be particularly helpful in working with vendors. She said they will begin on the west side of the street, the north section first, and then do the east side. She said they have agreed to remove Hine from the project, and the developers of the site will be required to repair those sidewalks with concrete, rather than brick.
She said that construction will begin in late June or early July. Mr. Gallo pointed out that out that the Market comes alive in the fall and September, October and November are important months. He asked that those guidelines be taken into consideration in phasing the job. Mr. Layman pointed out that there is no good time for construction, and suggested the possibility of staging the Market at Eastern Market Metro plaza. He said there was really no good solution for the problem. Ms. Scheeder suggested that the Market Operations Subcommittee will have to look at the option.
Ms. Opper-Weiner suggested that the traffic light at North Carolina and 7th Street should be changed, and Ms. Ricks said she did not want to tamper with anything that will slow down the job. Mr. Glasgow expressed his concerns about additional delays, reminding people of the previous times the job was supposed to begin, and the inconveniences on the weekends. Ms. Ricks aid that he job has been held up for more than year, and the intent, before the fire, was to be ready in March. She said she can work with construction managers to make sure the area is cleaned up on Fridays.
Mr. Burger asked whether when the lighting is installed there will be new lighting only on one side of the street, and whether it is too late to change the intensity of the lighting. He urged her to make it as bright as contractually possible. Ms. Ricks said that things can be done with the lighting after construction is completed.
Ms. Ricks presented photographs of a treatment for asphalt, using color and pattern that can help to create a “market square” aspect to the roadway. She said that because there will be savings from Hine, they can do a “pilot project” with these materials. Ms. Scheeder pointed out that the Project for Public Space (POPS) report said that it would be nice if the Market is set off, and a design such as this would do that. Mr. Edwards added that DDOT will bring the material vendor to the Market to see the area, and the Capital Improvements Subcommittee will organize a meeting. Mr. Burger mentioned replicating the curbs, and Ms. Ricks said that the package will go out requesting a regular roadway, and a change order will go out later.
Motion: Mr. Edward moved/Mr. Burger seconded a motion endorsing the idea of sending the streetscape proposal directly to the Council because there is no need to delay the contract for hearings. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Office of Property Management (cont.)
East Hall Issues
Mr. Hussman then addressed the problems with the East Hall roof and the temperatures. He said they are looking at alternatives for the roof, including installing an opaque film roof. He is meeting with 3M and looking at various coatings. They are also looking at ways to reroute the air conditioning, which is not easy in a temporary building. There are also problems because the City does not own the building. He said there are three inter-related issues: 1/heat is generated internally by compressors and cooking appliances; 2/Heat enters through the fabric roof; and 3/the air conditioning distribution system is not optimized. He is working with Turner on alternatives focused on 2 and 3. The costs, he said, could be astronomical.
He said that a reflective coating is against code, it is allowed for flat roofs, but not for peaked roofs. He said he is aware of the need for speed, but while the cost is substantial the results are not known. Ms. Scheeder impressed Mr. Hussman with the need to have options before the next meeting, because the issue has been talked about for eight months. She said that EMCAC is there to help, and if there other resources it can help marshal, it was available to do so. Mr. Kuchenberg suggested that a plan be developed for when the building will have to be closed because of the heat, and what ameliorative measure can be taken. Mr. Glasgow said that the building opened at the end of August and they have experience of the temperatures. He said the temperature inside the building that day was 850. He said that there is half an A/C unit for nearly one half the Market, and 2 ½ A/C units for the rest. The roof, he said, acts as a greenhouse.
Ms. Opper-Weiner said that there is $80,000-$90-000 in the Enterprise Fund, and perhaps some of that money could be used for the roof. Mr. Gallo pointed out that it will be a year with a halacious summer of construction. But, he said, it’s only a year.
Mr. Hussman reported that the work on the gas line on 7th Street has begun, and will last less than two weeks, and should be done by Market Day. 7th Street is expected to by\e fully usable by vendors and other on weekends.
He also reported that the Eastern Market manager RFP has been fully vetted by OPM and is now at OCP for their review. A copy will be made available to EMCAC as soon as possible. He said the format has been changed to meet OCP requirements, but the substance is still the same.
Scaffolding
Mr. Clay reported that he has learned that the roof hatch on the Market will not be visible from the street. Mr. Hussman added that additional scaffolding will be necessary to finish the roof.
7th Street Closure
Mr. Hussman stated that OPM understands the pressure on the need for vending space, and there are legitimate reasons for 7th Street to remain closed. The needs are strong and the closing should be extended. Mr. Kuchenberg said that unless the street is closed the vendors cannot be accommodated. Mr. Opper-Weiner said that there is a need for public discussion of the issue—the public should be informed and it would be useful to have a public forum. Ms. Eck said it would be beneficial to have a meeting, but she can’t imagine that EMCAC would disagree with the continued closing.
Motion: Mr. Kuchenberg moved/ Ms. Eck seconded a motion to support the continued closing of 7th Street, until the construction is finished with the proviso that there are periodic meetings to update the status of construction. Mr. Burger spoke in support of the motion and suggested that OPM and DDOT prepare a timeline so there is a baseline. The motion passed 7-1-1, with Ms. Opper-Weiner in opposition, and Mr. Glasgow abstaining.
Roof Issues
Mr. Edwards raised the issue that the specs for the North Hall roof show ventilators without dampers or electric fans, which are specified for the South Hall ventilators so they can be closed in the winter and the electric fans can exhaust the hot air in the summer. And asked what the solution for that problem is for the North Hall. Mr. Clay said he is working on them.
He also said that there are no details on the detailing of seams in the North Hall roof joins with the copper roof on the Center Hall. He was told that the slate roof overhangs the copper roof, and there are no details of how that connection will be made.
4. Executive Committee
Ms. Scheeder reported that the members of EMCAC were invited to a meeting by Councilmember Wells to discuss the Performance Parking Plan and Eastern Market. The Councilmember explained that he considered the first 90 days of the plan to be a test period for the plan, and he was meeting with EMCAC to ask for help in advising him on the effects of the plan on Eastern Market. He stated that adjustments to the plan would be made after the first 90-day period so he was seeking EMCAC input. In response to specific questions he stated that street closure and farmer’s trucks were not part of the plan and not the topics on the agenda in terms of performance parking.
Motion: Ms Scheeder moved/Mr. Edwards seconded a motion that In order to respond to the request for recommendations, the Parking Committee will take the lead in drafting a report to EMCAC. To accomplish this, the Committee is charged with indicating parking restrictions on 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and No. Carolina Ave. SE and on the south side of No. Carolina Avenue between the Natatorium and 7th Street. The Committee is to collect data on the effects on customer and merchant parking on those streets. Finally, the Committee is to make recommendations for any adjustments EMCAC should recommend to the Performance Parking Plan for that area, The Committee should report to EMCAC at the May 28th meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Scheeder announced that there would be a meeting on April 30th at Hine Jr. High School, on the future of the Hine site.
5. Market Manager
The Market Manager reported again that people must use hard hats when accessing the dumpsters, because of the construction on the South Hall.
He said he was dealing with security concerns. and working on repairs to the front doors. He said there would be major repair the Monday following the meeting.
Mr. Burger asked about the Market’s security arrangements, and was told there are two off duty police officers that are there in the morning, and again in the afternoon on the weekends. Ms. Opper-Weiner asked whether they had considered s staggering the hours of the officers.
Mr. Glasgow spoke about the flies and said he had spoken to an exterminator who says he can get rid of the flies.
6. Tenants’ Council
Mike Berman said there had been a security discussion on-line, and he welcomes the idea of meeting with the local police.
7. Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Gallo reported that the balance in the EMCAC account remained $2,483l997, and that there is approximately $78,000 in the Enterprise Fund
8. New Business
Ms. Scheeder asked whether the South Hall can be open for viewing on Market Day. Mr. Hussman said he would look into it.
The next meeting of EMCAC will be on Wednesday May 28th, at the Rumsey Aquatic Center, at 7 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
