Eastern Market: Aftermath

Fenty Pledges Funds for Eastern Market Restoration

A pair of massive fires ripped through two treasured city buildings in separate incidents yesterday -- destroying many of the South Hall stalls at Eastern Market and 12 hours later claiming valuable books, leather-bound documents and artwork at the Georgetown branch of the D.C. Public Library.

The causes are under investigation, but Acting Chief Dennis L. Rubin said last night that he was "90 percent" sure that the Eastern Market fire was accidental, probably caused by an electrical problem. The 134-year-old market, beloved for its food, flowers and flea markets, sustained $20 million in damage, a city official said.

Michael Berman, merchant and communications director of the Flea Market and Stephanie Deutsch, chairman of the Capitol Hill Community Assocation, attended the news conference held by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's this morning at Eastern Market and will be online Tuesday, May 1, at 2 p.m. ET to discuss individual business and community reaction to the devastating three-alarm fire and what plans are underway to help restore the historic marketplace.

Full Coverage

A transcript follows.

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Washington, D.C.: What was your reaction to the mayor's press conference? How much is the city going to help?

Stephanie Deutsch: It's reassuring that the Mayor is determined to rebuilt as quickly as possible. I am hoping maybe the time will be a little shorter than the 18 to 24 months he predicted.

Michael Berman: At the press conference today, I thought the Mayor and Tommy Wells committed the City to doing and spending what it takes to get the building back. How businesses survive in the meantime is harder.

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Washington, D.C.: How are the individual merchants/vendors reacting to what happened?

Michael Berman: All merchants, farmers and exhibitors are distressed. Though there has been tensions in the past,m we all recognize that we are a family and that all the activities make Eastern Market happen. There is a lot of support for each other and that they survive this crisis.

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Stephanie Deutsch: There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community for the vendors at Eastern Market. This is a vital part of our community!

Michael Berman: It has been reassuring and moving to see the community support. We have had an outpouring from across the City and the nation to help as well.

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Fairfax, Va.: Will the market be open this weekend?

Michael Berman: The outdoor activities will take place this weekend. Sunday is the annual Market Day event, which is a large street festival hosted by Friendship House. It will take place as usual.

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College Park, Md.: What has Eastern Market meant to the community on Capitol Hill and elsewhere? And do many people come from places other than the immediate neighborhood?

Michael Berman: The Market is the heart of Capitol Hill. It is a regular shopping destination and meeting place for the community. However there is also a great customer base from across the city and from the outlying areas. Additionally, it is a tourist magnet as well.

The same is true of the stakeholders. I live 5 blocks away. We have exhibitors who drive from Baltimore and even Pennsylvania each weeked to participate. The diversity is great.

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Washington, D.C.: I want to come spend some time this weekend at Eastern Market, offering financial support. Which would be the better day to come out?

Michael Berman: Saturday will have more of the regular long time vendors, farmers and exhibitors there. This Sunday is Market Day, a special festival that brings in other vendors in addition to some of the regulars. However, I am sure community organizations and City agencies will be on hand Sunday. Come both days!

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Chantilly, Va.: Will some of the inside merchants be able to take their busineses outside in the meantime? How long will this all take?

Michael Berman: The merchants inside are discussing with the city varous ways they can start operating. Coming outside is an option for some, however butchers and fish stands don't seem to think they can or want to. However there are other ideas and options being pursued.

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Washington, D.C.: Are you afraid that things won't be the same again? Did this fire bring on the death of something that was so somewhat out of date? Don't most people go to supermarkets and Wal-Marts? What's the difference?

Michael Berman: Eastern Market has been a vialble and thriving activity. The idea of markets has much more soul and interation than a big-box. Cities across the nation are trying to set up markets to bring back vitality to neighborhoods. Its a shame so many market buildings were destoryed in cities to make way for development. They are being rediscovered as important building blocks to healthy communities.

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Washington, D.C.: Is there any estimate of financial impact on businesses that have their locations there? And what about to businesses and individuals that they supply?

Stephanie Deutsch: I am sure there is but I don't have that. What I do know is that there is significant financial support available from the community to help vendors and their employees.

Michael Berman: There have not been official numbers released, but the impacts are huge. 13 businesses that collectively probably had 70 or so employees all out of work. And if they can't operate for 18 months, those issues magnify. Then there is the loss of product, repurchase of coolers and freezeres and equipment.

Additionally the outdoor vending and farmers are adversly affected. Over time less people come to the Market as there is less to shop for. As the issue fades from the limelight, peoples shopping patterns change and the market ceases to be the destination that so many people relied on for their livlihood. We will all feel this for years to come. I don't know how any of us that relied on the Market as our main source of income are going to make it.

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NW, Washington, D.C.: What a shame. I drove past the Eastern Market on Sunday on my way to the Nats game and said, "Gee, I should stop by that one day."

Is prepared food sold, or just raw ingredients?

Michael Berman: Prepared food was sold there in addition to raw ingrediants. There was Markt lunch that sold hot meals including renowned pancales and crabcakes. Canales Deli made sandwhiches among other items. Fruit, vegtables, meats, chicken, flowers, were some of the items. Until they can come back, we just have the farmers line and flowers along with the arts, crafts and collectibles.

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Capitol Hill, SE: I'm happy to hear Mayor Fenty fully supports rebuilding. My question is that if there are already plans in existence for the refurbishing/re-roofing of Eastern Market (which were held up in Red Tape), why would it take a whole 18-24 months to rebuild? It's only the roof and remodeling. They're building a whole stadium in less than a year just three miles away.

Michael Berman: There were major renovation plans underway. Also this is a nationally landmarked building both outside and interior.

Historic preservation is much harder than building from scratch. The good news is work can proceed without having to keep the building open for business as was planned.

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Aberdeen, Md.: For those outside the Washington metropolitan area, can you please describe Eastern Market and what's there and what it offers and when it's open, etc.?

Michael Berman: Eastern Market is the oldest still functioning market in the city. It offer(ed) food in the South Hall everyday except Monday. On weekends the shed along 7th st fills up with farmers and resellers of produce. The outside fills with arts and crafts exhibitors on the North Plaza each Saturday and on Sunday the whole outdoor area is an arts, crafts, collectibles and flea market. There is an additional flea market area across the street on weekends in the School playground.

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Annandale, Va.: How can individual people help?

Stephanie Deutsch: Anyone who wants to make a financial donation to the fund in support of the market's vendors can find information about doing so on www.capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org.

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Washington, D.C.: In New York they changed the location or did a major renovation on the Fulton Fish Market and I think things came along okay. I wish you all the same success they had.

Stephanie Deutsch: Thank you! I am quite certain we'll get the market back. There is real determination to do that.

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washingtonpost.com: Capitol Hill Community Foundation

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Lanham, Md.: So Mr. Berman, how has your business been affected?

Michael Berman: I only display my work on weekends. I have already lost my permanent Sunday location, as it was against the building on 7th St. Relocation issues and continued shopping at the Market will be key. Its up to management and the City to work this through. I know there will be a great outpouring of support this weekend and in coming weeks. Over time is when we will really see how the outddor activity is affected. Of course trying to accomplish work this week and as we adjust is a problem, so producing art is an issue too. But I did not lose product or equipment like the South Hall guys.

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Washington, D.C.: How can the plight of Eastern Market be kept on the front burners so people won't forget that the merchants are going to be hurting until things get rebuilt? What do you need from people and the government and the media?

Stephanie Deutsch: Well, the media can certainly help by keeping the story alive. There is already a long history of various attempts to renovate the market. there is no need for a long period of study. Reconstruction should start quickly and if it doesn't we can all ask a lot of questions about why.

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In response ...: No, a lot of people don't go to supermarkets or grocery stores for produce, meat or fish. I work in the Eastern Market area, but live in Alexandria. I always buy my produce, meat and fish from Eastern Market. It is close, convenient and the vendors are some of the nicest people. I have friends who live in the area who haven't been to a grocery store in years -- they survive off Eastern Market.

Stephanie Deutsch: Yes, I'm one of them! I'm wondering what to do about dinner tonight -- I usually go to the market in the late afternoon and buy food for dinner.

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Alexandria, Va.: Will there be a basic construction done when it starts, just something minimal to get people back into position, and then the work would continue while the place can be open for business?

Michael Berman: This is one option being discussed. To early to tell. The City and the architects are assessing the best plan to move forward with.

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Capitol Hill, D.C.: How can we get the urban builders involved, folks like Abdo who know how to get a historic building rehabbed quickly? Their tenants will benefit from the Market getting back up and running?

Michael Berman: The architectual plans for renovation were already 90% complete. They will reassess given the new situation. But with the financial dedication from the City, the next step is hiring good contractors to do the work. We have historic preservation experts involved. Don't think a developer is needed. Although private funds would be helpful.

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Michael Berman: Thank you all for your questions and support for the Market. More information about the Market, updates concerning activities as well as an opportunity to support the vending can be found at www.easternmarket.net. Join our mailing list to get the latest news.

Mike Berman

www.his.com/mberman

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Stephanie Deutsch: Thanks for your questions and for your interest in the Market. There will be activity there this weekend -- Saturday the farmers' line will be outside the market and Sunday there will be loads of activity and vendors for Market Day (in benefit of Friendship House). I and others from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation will be out both days talking with folks about our intention to help the vendors financially in any way we can. You can get more information about us on www.capitolhillcommunityfoundation.org.

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washingtonpost.com: Eastern Market

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washingtonpost.com: Capitol Hill Community Foundation

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