The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) met on Thursday Nov. 21 in the North Hall ( 225 Seventh St. SE) and online.
Committee heard that Southern Maryland Seafood is up for sale. The business has operated at Eastern Market since 1936. But owner Richard Glasgow has put it up for sale.
The potential transaction could change the balance of the market. But that balance is protected by market regulations. Among the more difficult questions are what kind of business could replace the seafood shop.
Under the of its lease with Eastern Market, managed by the District Department of General Services (DGS) the type of business that takes the place of Southern Maryland Seafood will have to be approved. That will be contingent upon having the product assessed as consistent with the purpose of the public market and balanced against offerings from the other South Hall merchants.
DGS Market Manager Barry Margeson said that DGS “approves the assignment of leases. And that is the discussion. The default is what is.”
Burger, who professionally deals with complex lease negotiations, volunteered to sit in on the Operations Committee, appearing to signal an open mind. “The Market served as a grocery once and now it is more than groceries,” Burger said.
Sweeping Funds
One EMCAC participant familiar with the current budgeting process suggested that the Mayor’s office has put out an inquiry about sweeping excess funds that left over from various agencies once their expense obligations were met, what are called non-lapsing funds.
This is a common practice of the executive branch.
According to DC Code 37-103, “Money deposited in the fund shall not revert to the unrestricted fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia the end of a fiscal year or any other time”“
There have been any number of conversations over the previous decade as to the appropriateness and possible irregularity of “sweeping” those funds out of the market’s control.
The mayor is reportedly asking certain agencies if they can convert from non-lapsing fund’s to lapsing funds. If the law is changed, the Eastern Market may well be on the way to having these funds swept each year. EMCAC expressed concern about whether this could or should happen.
“There is one group that is going to know about it,” EMCAC Chair Chuck Burger responded,” and that is the Department of General Services (DGS). We need to know from DGS as to what actually is going on. It is protected money.”
Market Manager Margeson agreed to look into the matter.
Operations Chair Susan Ourlser pitched in and suggested Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (D) be made aware of this possible sweep and that it “needs to be considered by EMCAC.”
In pre-COVID days, years Enterprise Fund reported balances of thousands of dollars. EMCAC has not heard a recent ing of the balance of the fund.
Rumsey Remodel
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) representative and EMCAC member Gerry Sroufe (6B02) announced a community meeting will be held 6 p.m. Dec. 12 to discuss District plans to remodel the William H. Rumsey Aquatic Center. The meeting will be held at the Eastern Market’s North Hall (Seventh Street at North Carolina Avenue NE).
The meeting is ed by the leadership of the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). It is anticipated that the selected design build team will also take part in the meeting. The public is encouraged to attend.
Rumsey Aquarium, a source of racial discord when it opened in 1970, cost $769,500 to build. As of today, $37 million dollars have been allocated for its remodel.
Peter J Waldron is a long time resident and former chair of ANC6B. Waldron has been reporting on the Eastern Market for fifteen years and can be reached at [email protected].
