The DC Office of Property Management (OPM) today released for public comment a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for new management of Eastern Market as well as the Findings and Recommendations for New Eastern Market Management.  Both are by David O’Neil, Senior Associate for Public Markets at the Project for Public Spaces, who has written extensively about public markets throughout his ten years of experience, including as manager of the very successful Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia

“Despite the tragedy of the recent fire, Eastern Market is entering a “golden age,” O’Neil says in the Report.  “But there is a huge amount of work that must be done to ensure that the market retains its character and its central place on Capitol Hill and for the Washington area.  Our goal in this draft was to call out the range of skills and experience that will be needed to make Eastern Market a success over the long term.”

Under the $49,000 contract with OPM, O’Neil interviewed a wide range of officials and other market stakeholders and held a public meeting on January 17. 

“Eastern Market is a nationally recognized urban jewel and we want to make sure that new management preserves and enhances the Market for this and future generations,” said Robin-Eve Jasper, Interim Director of OPM.  “Input is needed from all parties involved in the Market, including the Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B, Market businesses and vendors and the public at large.  We want the best possible RFP to attract the best possible proposals.”

The RFP and report are available on OPM’s Eastern Market website: http://opm.dc.gov/easternmarket.  OPM plans to release the RFP in mid-March.

Please submit written comments on the draft RFP by 5 pm, February 29, to:

Matt Hussman,
Eastern Market Coordinator 
441 4th Street, NW, 1100N,
Washington, DC  20001-2714 
(202) 741-0940
matt.hussman@dc.gov