Fate of Cleveland Park Farmers Market in DDOT’s Hands
It seems as if the fate of the Cleveland Park farmers market has been sealed. The ANC voted last night 4-2 not to support the market (see voting record below). Brookville Market made the argument that the farmers market would actually put them out of business and this seemed to scare enough commissioners away from supporting the market. Susie Taylor, who spent months organizing the market summed up how most of the neighborhood feels. “Hard to imagine that 4 hours of two produce stands and one orchard stand would negatively impact their bottom line to the extent that they would be forced out of business.” DDOT could still technically approve the market, but most people we’ve talked to, including Taylor herself, do not believe that they will.
Many thanks to ANC commissioner Richard Steacy who left a blog comment that explains the way he voted. “Based on listserve [sic] responses, much of the Farmer’s Market support came from west of Conn. I represent a part of CP (east of Conn.) that is pretty dependent on our local stores- Lots of seniors & young professionals in condos and apartments.” We think that the senior citizen point is a good one, but don’t see the evidence that young professionals east of Connecticut did not support the market, we actually think that they would overwhelmingly support it.
You may be interested in how your ANC commissioner voted. The vote record is below.
Voting no (4):
Leila Afzal (SMD05)
Richard Steacy (SMD04)
Lee Brian Reba (SMD01)
Bill Kummings (SMD02)
Voting yes (2)
Carl A. Roller (SMD06)
Chair Victor Silveira (SMD07)
Well this seems to be more about not wanting new people to come and experience the neighborhood. A silly and short sighted vote, in my opinion.
I’m hoping a Cleveland Park Farmer’s Market is possible in the future with better planning. Oddly, there were sites (Ex., John Eaton) considered, but these locations were considered “elitist” by CPCA. I’m not sure what that means. But those sites would be worth revisiting and would probably have my support. Another great option would be for the local businesses to have their own Market Days. There’s also a possibility of the Adas Israel Market. Reports of the demise of our neighborhood are greatly exaggerated.
I love the idea of market days by existing businesses. Demise? Lol.
This saddens me, and I find Brookville’s view to be rather short-sighted. Currently, when I visit a farmer’s market, I ALWAYS need to follow up with a trip to a more conventional grocery store. I see what’s available at the farmer’s market and plan a meal based on what I find there. It is very rare for me to find every single ingredient I need at the farmer’s market. I could easily see myself buying garlicscapes at the farmer’s market, and needing to pick up pasta from Brookville so that I can make garlicscape pesto; or seeing fresh tomatillos at the farmer’s market, and needing to pick up tortillas from Brookville so that I can make enchiladas.
Brookville’s produce selection leaves much to be desired. Yes! has a very select amount of fresh produce available – what they have is delicious, but it’s a very small selection compared to what one would find at a farmer’s market. So I will continue to visit farmer’s markets in other neighborhoods, and continue to visit grocery stores in other neighborhoods.
Unfortunate that a neighborhood with (still) untapped potential would choose to vote down a farmer’s market.
More unfortunate that a neighbor such as Brookville made what appears to be a compelling argument against the market. They’re open a full 77 hours in a business week. It’s hard to imagine that a farmer’s market open during 5% of those hours would significantly impact their bottom line. I volunteer at the Glover Park/Burleith Farmer’s market and am always impressed by the support of nearby businesses including Whole Foods and Starbucks. And they support a farmer’s market that sells a bounty of fresh produce and includes a local coffee company.
I implore the four ANC commissioners who voted the market down to provide just one example of another farmer’s market that has hurt the commercial and social fabric of a neighborhood. Farmer’s markets are many things to many people – but a business killer they are not.
Again…Here’s hoping for a Cleveland Park Market in the future. One that has been better planned and coordinated with local government, neighbors and businesses. A private group should not try, or be allowed, to plop a Farmers Market down on public space without asking the city or local elected officials! Something like this should not be Mickey & Judy putting on an amateur show. It needs planning and wide support. And I look forward to someone doing that in the future.
The headline of this post is at odds with the first sentence. “Fate of Cleveland Park Farmers Market in DDOT’s Hands” vs “It seems as if the fate of the Cleveland Park farmers market has been sealed.”
“The ANC voted last night 4-2 not to support the market,” which means they took no action to support or oppose the farmers market. In short, they have opted out (as a group, not individually).
The ANC’s decision is advisory, and won’t be given consideration by the Public Space Committee since it is essentially neutral. Public Space is staffed by DDOT, but includes members of OP, DCRA, and the Office of the Secretary. http://planning.dc.gov/DC/Planning/Across+the+City/Other+Citywide+Initiatives/Public+Space/Additional+Resources/What+is+the+Public+Space+Committee
The headline is more factual than the first line, but both need a little refinement.
@Bob Our understanding is that de jure it is in DDOTs hands, but 3 people told us that lack of support from the ANC is likely a de facto rejection. Paradoxical? We couldn’t agree more.
I am confused by Commissioner Steacy’s post. The market was proposed by two local membership organizations, the Cleveland Park Citizens Association and the Cleveland Park Business Association. Over the years, several CPCA members have voiced their hope for a market. I raised the topic at a Connecticut Avenue Coalition meeting. The CCC meets regularly in a “round table” format to trade information and discuss issues relevant to the Connecticut Avenue commercial area. Representatives of all stakeholders of Connecticut Avenue belong. Understandably, the local business members of the CCC responded to my suggestion with their enthusiasm under control. Nevertheless, they agreed to explore the possibility as long as CPBA would be a co-sponsor should we decide to move forward. The farmers market topic was discussed as an item on the agenda at both the April 3rd and May 24th CCC meetings. Follow-up notes from both meetings were distributed to all members of the coalition. Commissioners Steacy and Afzal are members of the Coalition.
CPCA and CPBA collaborated for three months considering the question, “is a farmer’s market right for Cleveland Park”? We identified a manager of a farmer’s market that was in complete agreement about the neighborhood-focused quality we identified as a fundamental criteria for Cleveland Park. That manager worked for several weeks with local businesses to identify 10 vendors, times and a location that were acceptable to our local retailers. Almost all businesses were approached by CPBA for input. Certainly the businesses that would have grave concern were approached including Firehook, Yes, and Brookville. Brookville never responded.
After several meetings between local business owners and the proposed manager, we thought we had a model upon which everyone agreed. Only then did we apply for a public space permit and ask to appear in front of the ANC for its support.
It is my understanding that some local businesses supported the market wholeheartedly and other supported the Market with great caution. That is why we presented the concept as a six month trial. Also, the model included two free vendor tents for use by local businesses and/or organizations. Three businesses donated private parking spaces for a total of six vendor trucks, keeping the trucks off of residential streets and from using metered spaces along the Avenue. We felt quite certain we could identify donated spaces for the additional four vendor trucks or cars (not all vendors deliver in trucks). The last thing CPBA or CPCA wanted to do was to create something that would harm local businesses or create hardship for local residents.
It is unfortunate that Brookeville communicated its concerns only last Friday. Its unfortunate that they refused to meet with any of the farmers market organizers to explore the possibility of addressing their concerns. I can’t say that the meeting would have successfully assuaged Brookville’s concerns. I sure would have liked the opportunity to try.
I wouldn’t characterize the effort we made as an attempt to “plop a Farmer’s Market down on public space.” Nor would I characterize our process as a “Mickey & Judy putting on an amateur show.” I’m not certain if Commissioner Steacy was implying this or not. But I can assure the community that a great deal of careful consideration, notification, and collaboration by a great many busy people went into this effort.
I apologize for the “Mickey & Judy” comment. Not professional.
Also, it should be noted that CPCA may have been given incorrect information from somebody at DDOT/Public Space Office. A colleague is investigating this.
One more clarification and then I promise I’m done.
I am not a member of CCC. I attended one meeting as an invited guest (I thought).
The hope for the farmers market was twofold.. To meet the interest of residents and to bring a greater sense of community, vibrancy and increased activity to the business district.
Cleveland Park Business Association