Community Treasure is Newly Renovated, Open for Business
Contact: Sean Madigan, (202) 615-2029 (cell); Feras Sleiman, (202) 251-8829 (cell)
(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty joined administration officials, District leaders, community members and local vendors for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening of the historic Eastern Market. The event marks the completion of a $22 million renovation after a fire partially damaged the market in April 2007. All of the original vendors that served the community at Eastern Market prior to the fire have returned.
“Eastern Market is the heart of the Capitol Hill community,” said Mayor Fenty. “We worked as hard as humanly possible to not only restore and improve the market, but to do so as fast as we possibly could.”
Eastern Market is the oldest continually operating market in the District. The market now has modern heating and air conditioning systems, free Wi-Fi internet access, new restrooms and sprinklers, and access ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The skylights and chimneys have been restored and new windows have been installed that protect against ultraviolet (UV) light. To reduce energy costs, the interior lights are can be dimmed to adjust to days of sufficient natural light.
A new pottery studio is now located in the basement. The North Hall includes a movable stage and gallery walls, a demountable dance floor and theatrical lighting making it attractive for community use. A new slate roof has been put down on both the North and South Halls, and the South Hall has tinted windows that provide additional protection for perishable food items.
“Bringing the real Eastern Market back to life could not have been possible without the support of Eastern Market’s merchants, vendors and farmers, business and community groups, and District residents that advocated tirelessly for its revival,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, Director of the Office of Property Management. “The Eastern Market’s renewal is a terrific example of how citizens from all over the city come together around food, art and culture in this wonderful historic space.”
One of the most notable improvements to the newly renovated Eastern Market is new technology in place that will help avert a large-scale fire-related disaster from occurring in the future. A new fire monitoring system operates 24 hours a day and is programmed to automatically call 911 if a fire ever occurs on site.
The reopening also marks the completion of a new streetscape project in front of the market. The new street includes upgrades to the roadway and roadbed, in addition to the installation of new brick sidewalks, granite curbs, utilities, lighting, and a storm water filtration system. The Office of Property Management and the District Department of Transportation worked together to minimize disruptions and complete projects simultaneously.
The renovation process has also been a collaborative effort among Quinn Evans Architects, Minkoff Company, Inc., Keystone Plus Construction, FEI Construction and The Temple Group.
Located in the historic district of Capitol Hill, Eastern Market has continually offered District residents and tourists with daily produce, meat, cheese and bakery vendors, a weekend farmers market and craft sales while also operating as an informal community center. The District is partnering with the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee to hold a community celebration at the market on Saturday June 27 that will offer music, food, and arts and crafts.