Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee
Minutes
Old Naval Hospital
February 25, 2009
Present: Chuck Burger, Barbara Eck, Monte Edwards, Larry Gallo, Bill Glasgow, Ken Jarboe, Donna Scheeder, Tom Kuchenberg, Angie Brunson, Richard Layman, Lisa Brooks (for Dan Tangherlini).
The meeting was convened at 7:06 PM.
1. Agenda
Motion: Mr. Kuchenberg moved/ Mr. Jarboe seconded a motion to approve the agenda. It passed unanimously.
2. Minutes
Motion: Mr. Burger moved/Mr. Kuchenberg seconded a motion to approve the September meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
3. Executive Committee
Business Coordination Group meeting
Donna Scheeder reported that a first meeting of the Business Coordination Group, organized to discuss and implement joint marketing plans for the Eastern Market neighborhood met. The group includes Barracks Row, Market Row, CHAMPS, National Capitol Bank, and the Riverfront BID. She said that the replacement of the N22 bus with the Circulator presents a good opportunity, especially with a stop labeled Eastern Market. There’s a lot of interest in the reopening of the Market, and how that can be capitalized on.
Re-Opening Steering Committee
EMCAC will form a steering committee to plan the opening, which will include representatives of all the other organizations, and will work with the City on activities and promotions for a week-long celebration. There will be a steering committee meeting in mid-March. Board members Burger, Kuchenberg, Jarboe, Glasgow, Gallo, Edwards and Roberta Weiner volunteered for the committee. Mr. Burger added that it should be a working committee, not a planning committee.
Hine RFP
Ms. Scheeder announced that two of the developers planning to submit proposals for the redevelopment of Hine JHS have contacted EMCAC for ideas. She said that the resolution passed by EMCAC on the redevelopment will be used as guidelines in discussions with developers. The RFP deadline has been delayed a month to allow more time for submissions.
Application Advisory Review Committee
Motion: Ms. Scheeder moved/Mr. Burger seconded a motion to appoint Mr. Jarboe and Ms. Eck to the Application Advisory Review Committee. It passed without opposition. The members of the Committee are now Burger, Glasgow, Gallo, Brunson, Jarboe and Eck.
Music Series
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation will once again sponsor a music series for the summer. They are trying to figure out where the musicians will be located.
4. Market Operations Subcommittee
Mr. Kuchenberg said that he will hold a meeting with the merchants and others to get all the issues and questions about the move back to the Market on the table, and to decide which need further work. He wants to solicit ideas and seek out experts in making a quick move, including reaching out the real estate community. He solicited e-mails for suggestion of the issues. Ms. Scheeder said that Angie, Bill and Larry should be polling their groups for questions and ideas. Ms. Scheeder asked that keeping the Market open seven days a week, and extending the Market’s hours should be put on the agenda of the group. Additionally, the question of a weekday farmer’s market should be resolved.
Mr. Layman said that the national Public Markets conference will be held in San Francisco, and that EMCAC should be represented. MR. Burger suggested checking with the Office of Economic Development to see whether they are sending someone.
5. Office of Property Management
Management
Mr. Margeson reported that he has collected $14,366 in rents from the weekend vendors, and $21,102 in rent from the merchants during January 2009. He said that he is, however, having more trouble establishing spending authority, and they are not yet at the point where they can use the Enterprise Fund. He said that OPM will lay out the funds and get reimbursed by Enterprise Fund when they can.
He reported that work on the RFP for the Market Manager is ongoing.
He reported that the Hine parking lot is now available for merchant parking on weekdays.
He said he hasn’t wanted to do too much since his tenure is limited, but he has circulated the new Eastern Market legislation, and invited all the vendors to attend the EMCAC meeting. He has also announced to the Eastern Market community a Vendor of the Month award, with nominations from the vendors and merchants. He said, however, that so far he has received only one nomination.
Mr. Gallo said that Mr. Margeson has put a lot of attention and time into making changes that work and that he has provided more focus on outdoor activities. He asked about what expenses Mr. Margeson was making. He replied that he has an off-duty police officer doing security on the weekend from 7 to 9:30 a.m. when he is collecting rents, who also comes in the afternoon. There is also money being expended for overtime for OPM workers who are there from 9 a.m. to about 3:30. There are also facilities management personnel who are cleaning on a daily basis, and who clean both Saturday morning and again at the end of the day. He said there are also advertising expenses, and he had worked with Edge Advertising in January. He said they are also keeping up with the trash hauling, and it’s happening more often than ever before. He said he would send the financials. Mr. Burger asked for them within the next 30 days, and offered any assistance he needed. Mr. Kuchenberg said he would like a first estimate on income and expenses.
Mr. Layman said that he feels that parking should be metered. Ms. Scheeder said it is a short term issue because long-term there will be underground parking at Hine.
Mr. Gallo mentioned that since January all revenues have gone into the operation of the Market and everyone is paying their fair share.
Construction
Curtis Clay reported that Saturday work has begun at the Market. He also reported that OPM has installed plexiglass windows and that it is possible to look into the Market days and night. He said they are laying bricks and the herringbone will be at 900, rather than 450. They are ready to pour the concrete in the basement and for main floor, but need three days when the temperature is about 400. Lightening protection has been installed at the top of each chimney with grounding wires. Work on the North Hall roof is continuing. The scaffolding will be up until mid-April. He asked how much notice will be needed before the shutdown of the East Hall, and Ms. Scheeder responded that the Market Operations Subcommittee is working on that. He said that OPM is hiring a logistics consultant to coordinate with all individuals. He suggested that the coordination meetings no longer have to take place now that Mr. Margeson’s on the case, and only Mr. Gallo has showed up for the last few. Mr. Gallo said that the meetings are important particularly since the construction is reaching a crossroads. Mr. Edwards agreed, saying that the reason he hasn’t attended the meetings is that their focus is for vendors so they can know what to expect in terms of available vending space, etc. Mr. Burger asked whether the fencing will be down by May 1 and Mr. Clay said he couldn’t guarantee that, but would know by the end of April. Mr. Kuchenberg asked whether the logistics consultant has been hired and was told it is in process.
6. Capital Improvements
Streetscape
Mr. Edwards submitted the following report on the paving materials that will be used in the streetscape at the Market:
Report Concerning Paving Materials
DDot installed samples of a molded red brick (with some variations in color) that is proposed for the sidewalks and two types of pavers for 7th Street in front of the Market.
The pavers are 4” by 8” Holland Pavers and 6” by 9” Colonial Cobble Stones. Both pavers are pre-cast concrete and uniform in size. The sample installations were available for viewing at the north end of the Farmers’ Line shed from February 12 –19.
Public comments have been received.
Molded Brick for the Sidewalks.
There was consensus support for the proposed dark red with variegated shading, molded brick for the sidewalk. They are of uniform size and have minimum rounding of the edges to be pedestrian friendly.
Pavers for the Street.
There was consensus support for differentiating the street paving in front of the Market.
Both pavers have fairly flat patterns, with uniform and shallow joints that will be compatible with foot traffic as well as strollers. Out of 40 email comments, 21 favored the Colonial Cobble Stone, 15 preferred the Holland Pavers, 3 voted for brick, and one endorsed the concept of differentiated paving but did not indicate a preference for any of the samples.
There was overwhelming support for the Colonial Cobble Stone, with some describing the Holland Pavers as more appropriate for a shopping mall. A representative criticism of the Colonial Cobble Stones:
• I believe the Holland paver surface will be more convenient for most people as it is smoother. This is especially true for wheelchairs and those who use walkers or have other problems walking. The cobblestone might be more attractive, but too rough in my view.
But the majority of the comments did not share that view:
• I walked by Eastern Market this afternoon to check out the bricks and cobblestones. I was a little worried about the stones. (My ankles aren’t what they used to be.) These were not what I expected — much more navigable but still quite handsome. Brick looks good too. Good job!
• I prefer the cobblestone pavers rather than the holland pavers because (1) the Holland pavers are too similar to the sidewalk brick, (2) cobblestone seems more historic, and (3) cobblestone might act to slow down traffic on that block where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic even when the block is open to road traffic.
The Market Row Merchants recommend the Colonial Cobble Stone paves be installed. At yesterday’s Streetscape Construction Coordination meeting, the participants endorsed the Colonial Cobble Stone pavers, and today, DDot’ endorsed the Colonial Cobble Stones.
Conclusion
Motion: Mr. Edwards moved/ Mr. Kuchenberg seconded a motion that EMCAC should endorse the use of the molded red brick for the sidewalks and use of the Colonial Cobble stone for paving 7th Street in front of the Market.
Mr. Edwards reported that if the work on the water main is scheduled to be completed by March 9th, and DDot can complete everything in the block in front of the Market by June. They will be closing 7th Street from the completion of the water main work until the completion of the work. Ms. Scheeder said that all of this is dependent on the ability to use the area in front of Hine and in front of the Natatorium for vendors. There is an option which will slow things considerably—to do one half of the street at a time. Mr. Gallo pointed out that there will be significant management challenges, and Mr. Glasgow noted the delivery problems.
Mr. Burger said he was uncomfortable making a decision when there are 25 businesses with different needs. He said that several businesses are on the verge of bankruptcy, and he is concerned about the impact on the stores. Ms. Eck said that it’s going to have a negative impact and there will be difficulties no matter what, and suggested that perhaps the motion could be amended to say “depending on mitigating circumstances.” Ms. Brunson said that the whole street had been closed on that day, and business was terrible. Mr. Layman said that while he understands that desire to accelerate the work, you can’t do an opening in four months, and the opening should be in September, with a soft opening before then. Mr. Kuchenberg said that he agrees with Mr. Burger and Mr. Layman, and he’s concerned about deliveries. Ms. Scheeder suggested that a separate meeting on this proposal be held in order to obtain answers to the many questions and issues that were raised. Motion: Ms. Eck moved to table the motion until there was a meeting with DDOT to resolve the issues. Mr. Burger said he would invite the merchants, and Mr. Glasgow said that due diligence has to be done because of the problems. Mr. Layman pointed out the problems that merchants on P Street and in Georgetown had when extensive street work was being done. Mr. Edwards announced that the meeting with DDOT would be held on March 4th at the Old Naval Hospital. Mr. Burger said that Councilmember Wells’ office, and the Office of Planning and Economic Development should be included.
Light Poles
Mr. Edwards reported that Forney Construction, the Urban Forestry Administration, DDOT and the EMCAC Tenant’s Council had met on-sit on the North Plaza i concerning the light fixtures and tree boxes. The standards for the special event lighting are to be placed in tree boxes, and may involve moving the tree boxes closer to the sidewalk. Urban Forestry will provide recommendations concerning trees species, and the size and design of tree boxes, and where to put them. After that the bike racks, trash cans can be placed. The west side of 7th Street should have as few obstructions as possible. Mr. Edward said that the City uses a basic tree, which is small, and there is the possibility of using DDOT or other funds to pay for larger trees.
7. Tenant’s Council
The Tenant’s Council did not have a report.
8. Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Gallo reported that there were no expenses, and no income. Mr. Edwards said that there has to be a check written to Ewing Cole to begin their conservation report before everything disappeared.
9. Audience Comment
Sondra Allen, who identified herself as a “non-food vendor,” expressed her concern that she had no input into the RFP. She said she had been at the Market intermittently for eight years under the aegis of Market 5, and complained of a member of EMCAC who was hostile to non-food vendors. She said that members of EMCAC talked to only a few people and she was confused about what was going on. She said she was not e-mailed in advance of this meeting and has no voice in who’s going to be in charge. Ms. Scheeder explained that Mr. Gallo and Ms. Brunson sit on EMCAC as representatives of the vendors. She said that the RFP had been discussed at several open meetings, and Mr. Gallo made many good suggestions. Mike Berman and Mike Bowers who represent the Tenant’s Council are very open to hearing what the vendors have to say. The RFP was a standard, confidential process, but what went into it was extremely open. There was a consultant involved, and community meetings, and finally, a resolution stating preferences. Mr. Layman said that John Harrod didn’t sign the agreement, and his efforts have to be respected. It is vitally important the process does not get corrupted. Ms. Scheeder pointed out that EMCAC was concerned about having an open process, and were given an opinion as to what EMCAC’s parameters were. She pointed out that EMCAC members signed a confidentiality agreement in order to participate in the process and they could not violate that. EMCAC’s major concern, she said, is that the RFP process concludes with what is best for the Market. She pointed out that there had been a trying time with the previous market manager and it is pleasing that Mr. Margeson is working to build relationships with the vendors. Mr. Gallo said that the important thing is that the RFP move forward as quickly as possible. Mr. Glasgow said that he has been at the Market for 48 years, and before the Eastern Market legislation that named her a “non-food vendor” he had no security, and now he does.
10.New Business
Ms. Scheeder said that the next meeting date would be March 25.
10.Adjournment
Motion: Mr. Glasgow moved/ Mr. Jarboe seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. It passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm
