Hearings

[From the Georgetowner, Jan. 20, 1966]

GEORGETOWN MARKET HOUSE ON M STREET?

Since the January 10 meeting of the Citizens Association of Georgetown when a resolution was passed requesting the National Capital Planning Commission to recommend to the District of Columbia Commissioners that the old Georgetown Market House on M Street at Potomac "be used as a market, if economically feasible, * * *," Georgetown has buzzed with recommendations, pro and con, by citizens and businessmen of this town.

The Georgetowner called on Miss Dorothea de Schweinitz, chairman of the Fine Arts and Historic Buildings Committee of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, and asked her about the possibility of the old Market House becom ing active again.

Miss de Schweinitz told us that for the past year and a half attention has been focused on the old Georgetown Market House because the Western Market building at 22d and K streets is to be demolished by the District of Columbia Commissioners and so the Association for the Western Market of Merchants & Farmers has been looking for a site for a market.

We inquired if the idea of a market for Georgetown had much backing and what possibility there is of it becoming a reality. Miss de Schweinitz said that Congressman John O. Marsh, Jr., of the Seventh District of Virginia, has interested himself in the plight of his constituents, the Virginia farmers who come to town each Saturday with fresh eggs, sausage meat, apple butter, and other home products for sale. She said further that Perry Cannon, 1752 N Street NW., has interested himself in the farmers and merchants who now have stalls in Western Market, and that the Western Market of merchants and farmers includes the Cannon Fish Market which is patronized by many George

towners.

Miss de Schweinitz said that her committee of the Citizens Association has kept in touch with Congressman Marsh and Mr. Cannon (who is not connected with the Cannon Fish Market) and has supported their efforts on behalf of the idea of a market.

In November 1964, the Landmarks Committee of the National Capital Planning Commission and the Fine Arts Commission designated the old market in Georgetown as a landmark. In January 1965, the Fine Arts and Historic Buildings Committee of the Citizens Association requested the National Capital Planning Commission to make a study of the market, especially as to the feasibility of its operation as a market.

Miss de Schweinitz, as chairman of the Fine Arts Committee of the Citizens Association, with the aid of the Columbia Historical Society, has done intensive research on the old building and has obtained interesting historical facts on the Market House as follows:

According to city ordinances and council meeting minutes, the site of the building was used as a market as early as 1791 and there is mention of an old Market House and a new one in the records of 1796. In the latter part of 1802, recorded January 5, 1803, Adam King deeded the property to the mayor, recorder, alderman, and Common Council of George Town, for a financial consideration, for the use of a market "forever and for no other use, interest, or purpose whatsoever." The property was used as a market from 1802 until 1935. The building on the present site was probably erected in the early 1860's on foundations of an earlier date.

On October 22, 1965, Congressman Marsh introduced H.R. 11792 which would require the District Commissioners to "construct, operate, and maintain on lot 800, square 1186, of the District of Columbia, such facilities as may be necessary to use such property exclusively for public market purposes and for no other purposes."

At the request of the National Capital Planning Commission the Landmarks Committee has made a further study of the Market House and has recommended to the Commission that it is worthy of preservation. On January 6, 1966, the Commission voted in favor of presreving the building and directed that an economic feasibility study be made of the situation. Following this, the Citizens Association of Georgetown passed the following resolution presented by its fine arts and historic buildings committee:

"Whereas the Market House at Potomac and M Streets in Georgetown has been designated a landmark by the Landmarks Committee of the National Capital Planning Commission and of the Fine Arts Commission; and

"Whereas the site was deeded by Adam King in 1802 to the mayor and council of George Town to be used as a market and for no other purpose and was so used from 1802 until 1935: Therefore be it

"Resolved, That the Citizens Association of Georgetown on this 10th day of January 1966, request the National Capital Planning Commission to recommend to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia that the Georgetown Market House be used as a market, if economically feasible, together with such other compatible uses as further study may indicate; and be it further

"Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission and to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia."

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

Washington, D.C., February 23, 1966.

Hon. B. F. SISK,

U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. SISK: This is in further reply to your letter of February 9, 1966, in which you listed a series of questions concerning market operations in the District of Columbia.

As stated to you in my acknowledgement of February 14, 1966, replies to your questions have been prepared during my absence from the city and I am now able to inform you as follows in response to each question:

1. The present tenant began occupancy of the Old Georgetown Market on June 1, 1945.

2. The rent received for the Old Georgetown Market is $250 per month. 3. Records of cost of repairs for the entire period of occupancy by the present tenants are not available. However, during the past 8 years, $2,911.94 was spent on repairs through our real estate agent from the amounts collected for rent.

4. Public markets operated by the District of Columbia have been operated at a loss.

5. So far as is known to us, the maximum number of public markets operated by the District of Columbia at any one time was three. We cannot report on the number of privately owned markets which may have been operated in the District at various times.

6. The District government has not added any additional markets in the last 30 years.

7. The number of markets operated by the District has been reduced from two to one in the past 30 years by the sale of the Western Market.

8. It is the policy of the Board of Commissioners that the District government should go out of the market operation business entirely as soon as possible.

9. So far as is known, the Commissioners have not asked Congress for any expression of policy on closing, continuing, or increasing the number of public markets. The Commissioners did request an appropriation with which to construct a new third precinct police station house formerly situated adjacent to the Western Market at 21st and K Streets NW., in order that the entire property occupied by both operations could be placed on the market and sold to the economic advantage of the District. The funds requested were appropriated, then the new police station constructed.

The foregoing information relates to retail markets purveying a general range of merchandise. In addition, there was a wholesale Farmers' Produce Market at 10th and F Streets SW. This market also sold to the general public, usually in rather large quantities such as by the bushel or basket. This market was closed in September of 1959 as authorized by Congress for the construction of the Southwest Freeway and the redevelopment of the southwest area of the city. It is hoped that the foregoing will suffice to answer your questions. If further information is needed or desired, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

WALTER N. TOBRINER, President, Board of Commissioners.

Hon. WALTER N. TOBRINER,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Washington, D.C., February 9, 1966.

Commissioner, District of Columbia,
District Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR COMMISSIONER TOBRINER: In connection with the committee's considera tion of H.R. 11774, and companion bills, to require the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia to use certain property for public market purposes the committee is desirous of having the following information:

1. When did the present tenant set up business in the Old Georgetown Market site?

2. What income is the District government receiving from the present tenant at the Old Georgetown Market?

3. What has been the total expenditure by the District government for mainte nance of the Old Georgetown Market since it was first leased for nonmarket purposes?

4. Has the District government operated its public markets at a profit or loss 5. What was the maximum number of public markets in operation at any one time in the District?

6. Has the District government added any new public markets in the last 30 years?

7. Has there been an increase or decrease in the total number of public mar kets in the past 30 years?

8. Does the District government have a policy concerning the operation of public markets? If so, what is that policy?

9. Has the District government ever asked Congress for any expression of policy on closing, continuing, or increasing the number of public markets? With kind regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

B. F. SISK, Member of Congress.