Due to inclement weather conditions, Eastern Market will be closed Saturday, February 6, 2010 and Sunday, February 7, 2010.  

The Market will reopen, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 under normal operating hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Media Contacts:  Karyn LeBlanc at (202) 671-3490 (DDOT), Bill Rice at (202) 437-7787 (OPM)
 
Eastern Market and Outside Markets Remain Open During Streetscape Work
 
(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Office of Property Management (OPM) announce a closely coordinated, accelerated plan for the streetscape work and the required temporary relocation of some farmers and exhibitors from along 7th Street, in front of Eastern Market.  DDOT is scheduled to finish this phase of the streetscape project in early June, just prior to the reopening of the market.
 
In an effort to minimize impact on the residential and business community, DDOT & OPM are taking the following actions:
 
·         DDOT has begun the streetscape with the recently announced closure of 7th Street, SE, from C Street to North Carolina Avenue. The closure will last until June, when the work will shift to the stretch of 7th Street from C Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.
 
·         The sidewalks on either side of 7th Street remain open and accessible allowing pedestrians to shop along both sides of 7tth Street.
 
·         Starting this weekend, OPM will relocate outdoor exhibitors and farmers, usually located on 7th Street, to a variety of locations in and around the market including stalls on the grassy area of 7th Street, south of C Street, the Farmer’s Line Shed, and the North Hall Plaza.
 
“Just as the indoor Eastern Market merchants were quickly relocated after the fire two years ago, I am confident this short-term move will meet the needs of the outdoor exhibitors,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, Director of OPM. “I want to thank DDOT for their assistance and cooperation to insure that the DDOT streetscape and OPM renovation are completed together this summer.”
 
“Closing the street will assist us in expediting the work as we coordinate our efforts with OPM” said Gabe Klein, Acting Director for DDOT.  “The community has been a great asset in providing input into these important decisions.”
 
To accommodate weekday 7th Street customer needs, new public parking is available at the Hine School lot between Pennsylvania Ave SE and C Street SE, from 6 am to 7 pm.  This parking will not be available on weekends.
 
The DDOT streetscape includes total removal and upgrade of the existing roadway and bed, installation of new Colonial cobblestones, stamped concrete at crosswalks, brick sidewalks, granite curbing, new lighting and utility upgrades.
 
The OPM Market renovation includes historically appropriate roof and floors, upgraded ADA access, new heating and air conditioning, new windows and doors, and for the North Hall, movable partitions, a new stage and theatrical lighting.
 
East Hall, the temporary home for the vendors displaced from the Market building by the April, 2007 fire is unaffected by the street work
 
Bill Rice
Public Information Officer, Ofc. of the Dir., Ofc. of Property Mgt.
2000 14th St., NW, 8th fl, Wash., DC  20009
(202) 437-7787, 202.727.9877/f
bill.rice@dc.gov; opm.dc.gov
 

Dear Eastern Market Community and All Interested Parties,
  
As required by the Eastern Market Act, the DC Office of Property Management announces the following public meeting:
 
What: Discussion of short-term use of the plaza in front of William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center by vendors temporarily moved from Eastern Market because of the 7th Street streetscape project
 
Where: William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center / Capitol East – 635 North Carolina Ave SE
 
When: Thursday, March 12, 7PM
 
All interested parties are urged to attend. Please feel free to distribute this message further to other stakeholders.
 
 
Barry Margeson
 
Interim Manager, Eastern Market 
 
Barry Margeson
Realty Program Specialist
Portfolio Division
DC Office of Property Management
2000 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Office: 202.741.0940
Cell: 202.689.4031
Fax: 202.727.9877
barry.margeson@dc.gov
www.opm.dc.gov
 

Update: RFP for Eastern Market Manager
 
(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) today posted the questions and answers related to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the management of Eastern Market. They are on OCP web page (ocp.dc.gov) under Business Opportunities, Property Management Services,” along with the full RFP (DCAM-2008-R-1010).  The questions came from the August 14 pre-proposal conference on the RFP. 
Potential bidders are reminded that the deadline for RFP submissions has been extended to 2 pm, Tuesday, October 7, 2008. 
The Market Manager will be responsible for the coordinated day-to-day administration and development of the Market, now being rehabilitated by the DC Office of Property Management (OPM) following a devastating fire in April, 2007.
For more information, please contact Courtney Lattimore, OCP, (202) 724-4946.

Tenant’s Council Report

June 25, 2008

Status on Open Issues and New Initiatives

1.        Appointment of Representatives to EMCAC (continued from October 17, 2007 request)

a.        A second request has been made to each of the representative for the Merchant, Farmers and non-Food Vendors on how representatives from each group are chosen to positions on EMCAC. Specifically, this would be Bill’s position for the Merchants, Angie’s position for the Farm’s Line and Larry’s position for the Arts/Vending. 

The request was for each group meet to discuss their selection process, and for the representative for each group to report its process by Monday June 9.  The following responses were receive thus far:

1.        How are representatives selected?  Paper ballot?  Formal Group Meeting?  Meetings with individuals? Other? Merchant Response: Formal group meeting

2.        Are records kept of the results for the selection process? Merchant Response: Yes, and one was given to Chuck Burger

3.        How often is the selection process run?  Annually? Bi-annually? Other? Merchant Response: When needed

4.        When was the last time the selection process was run for your group? Merchant Response: About two years ago, Chuck has a record of results

5.        Who can apply to be a representative?  Any Stakeholder? Long Term Stakeholders? Other? Merchant Response: Any merchant

6.        Who can participate in the selection process? Any Stakeholder within your group?  Merchant Response: Any merchant

7.        How many stakeholders participated in your last selection process? Merchant Response: All merchants represented

2.        Continued Report on Safety and Security at the Market (continued from April 22, 2008 Report)

                         Details available through the Secretary of EMCAC

3.        Streetscape Resurfacing Project (continued from May 23, 2008 Report)

a.        Request for clarification on Report on Traffic Conditions (# of vehicles, maximum weight, etc.).

b.        A test site would be done using the STONEGRIP on a 2′ wide strip running E-W across 7th St. somewhere to be determined in the subject area.

c.        The Tenant’s Council has concerns with the colors, tones and patterns (to include striping for parking) used for the paving, especially given the varying use of the space. The color primarily discussed was a pea gravel, however the Tenants council has concerns with the reflective glare such an application would yield.  We are interested evaluating this texture as a walk able, as well as a drivable surface.

4.        New Initiatives (June 2008)

a.        East Hall Air-conditioning – With the additional AC installed and with the reconfiguration of signage which blocked air flow, and with slight reconfigurations to the clothe ducts in the East Hall; air temperature with in the market has made modest improvements.   Notwithstanding,  as merchants continue to report loss-of-product due to failing cases,  further improvements are needed.  Among them it is recommended to evaluate insulated conduit on the exterior leading from the AC units into the building.  AC technicians have previously reported a 15-20 degree difference between the bottom and top of the conduit due to solar heat and the use of vinyl tubing.

b.        East Hall Business Hours - In a meeting with the Market Manager, and OPM, the Merchants on June 11, the following motions were made and accepted:   Increase hours of operation for the East Hall for Tues-Friday from 7 am- 7pm, leave Sat. as existing 7-6pm, and increase Sunday hours from 9-5pm.   Recommendation of the Merchants is to increase the hours of operation according to the motion and start the change on July 1st.  The summer will be a trial period and possibly extend the change past the summer.  All Merchants in favor.

c.        Advertising - EMV has released a budget of $10,000 to spend on a campaign for the upcoming two months.  EMV received Merchant input into the overall campaign and what has worked or not worked in the past.  Merchant comments were as follows:  place better signs for hours of operation; posters; continue ad spaces in local papers as they have supported the Merchant causes; signage @ metro stops/ bus shelters; flags on the East Hall; large recycle bags as promo products.

d.        Stall Spaces – Meetings with OPM, QEA, OPM Contractors (Kitchen and Lighting Consultants) were initiated.   The meetings afforded those merchants who were able to schedule about 15 minutes with the lighting consultant and about 30 minutes with the Kitchen.   The results of the meetings should yield a 35% design for stalls.

Prior Resolutions

1.        Use of Sash Locks in Addition to Latches on Market Restoration -The Tenant’s Council received no objections on the use of both.

Through the efforts of Eleanor Holmes Norton, $131,000 in federal money has been earmarked for Financial services and General Government Approriation Bill. (HR 2829.) The earmark is referred to in the committee report, 110-207, rather than the bill itself. The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed the bill this week, although it is not clear from their press release whether the earmark remains in the language.