Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-12
Fine Arts Commission Sug-
gestS Temporary Use of
Land in Southwest.
STUDY OF SIDEWALK
SHELTERS ALSO MADE
Central High School Property and
Patterson Tract Likewise
Given Consideration.

viewing the location of the Farmers
Market in washington as a problem to
be settled by the farmers themselves, the
Commission of Fine Arts today suggest
ed to the District Commissioners that
the area Immediately west of the f1sh
market on the north side of Water street
be temporarily turned into Farmers
Market.
The commission also suggested that
another trial be made on the grounds
formerly occupied by Central High
school at Seventh and o streets, where
the commission understands that some
of the school buildings soon Will De
abandoned and will be available Tor
market and other uses. The commits
sion also called the attention OF the
District Commissioners to the TACT that
there is a considerable space to be de-
voted to large wholesale market on the
Patterson Tract near the junction OF
Florida and New York avenues north
east.
1.-The whole market problem in Wash
ineton is in a state of uncertainty" the
Fine Arts Commission told the District
Commissioners, land before going to
any great expense in either the pur-
chase of land or the development OF
markets, such trials as the Commission
of Fine Arts herein suggest should be
made to establish in practical manner
rather than from a theoretical stand
point where such markets should be 10
Gated"
Against Walk Coverings.
The area mentioned by the Fine Arts
body now is in process OF condemnation;
"a IL E1aUprfh and
between E and @ streets southwest, and
Is near the fish market.
The body also diSapproved the con-
strIction of shelters over the sidewalks
near the farmers markets, for which
$4,000 had been appropriated ana now
is available The commission had be-
fore it design for such shelters SUD
mitted by Municipal Architect Harris
and the members TO the Fine Arts body
accompanied Representatives r: Walton
Moore and Stephen w. Gambrill, George
M. Roberts; superintendent OF weights
and measures, and Mr.. Harris on tour
OF the markets Of the city to view the
proposed sites for such shelters.
No shelters should be built across the
sidewalk at Western Market, Twenty
first and K Streets the Commissioners
were advised. While the conditions OF
selling from wagons involves exposure
to the Sellers" the fine arts body said
''yet this condition of affairs has ex-
listed for half a century and the com
mission would not feel JUSTIFIED IN
recommending the covering OF the SIDE
walk on a street that is rapidly de-
veloping for residence and apartment
house uses There is space between
the sidewalk and the market building
which conceivably might be used Tor
farmers market purposes on the two
or three days Of the week when Such
market exists
Regarding the Eastern Market, the
commission said the use Of the streets
for farmers market purposes has also
persisted for many years and now 70
begin the erection of shelters would
probably call for like shelters in con-
nection with a number of the other
markets where the farmers are accus-
toned TO sell from wagons. In other
words" the commission said, "once to
embark on the erection of shelters
would probably lead TO the demand for
such shelters at many places in the city.
The commission therefore are not In
favor Of establishing such precedent"
Whole Square Is Best.
The market shelter problem led the
commission into the real problem of
the Farmers Market IN Washington
THE best practice in cities of size
corresponding TO Washington" the let
ter said, lis to take an entire square
and develop it so that the marketing
shall be done entirely of the street and
within the square itself. 1t is also the
experience of other cities that unless
farmers markets are located at natu-
raj center Of buying they do not fulfill
the requirements, because the farmers
will not resort to them.
Congress has provided for the pur-
chase of two squares adjacent to Water
street, near the Fish Market and the
new Wholesale Market. The commission
understands that the amount appro-
priated is insufficient to pay for the
land to be purchased and that an ad-
ditional appropriation will be required.
without anticipating the action Of Con-
gress in this respect, the commission
suggests that, pending congressional
action. the space owned by the Govern
nent and controlled by the District of
Columbia Immediately west of the Fish
Market be turned into Farmers Mar
ket temporarily.
The question then can be tested as
TO whether this Is a suitable site for
a farmers market from the standpoint
of the farmers themselves. This will
be tested by the use TO which the
farmers put the space. A farmers
market would certainly improve the
appearance of thatSportion of the water
front, oi--SSt ali II which Is now in a
most deplorable condition"
The letter has been read by Commits
sioners Crosby and Gotwals, but not by
Commissioner Reichelderfer. and action
is being held up pending its reading
by DR.. Reichelderfer.