Save Eastern Market

Many of us, though perhaps not enough, have been distressed by the lack of concern about the pottery studio that had been located on the mezzanine of the market for over 35 years. Although the studio was untouched by the fire (except for some very minor water damage), the potters were told they had to vacate the premises immediately. Even though they were made to leave with the rest of the south hall vendors, they will not be given a space in the temporary facility at Hine.

Ellen, I'm not sure I agree that there hasn't been enough distress about the fate of Eastern Market Pottery -- I feel like there are a lot of people concerned about it, and that it's received the same attention as the rest of the Market issues over the past few weeks, which is to say, not nearly enough attention.

And while I *completely* sympathize with their plight, I feel like I constantly have to clarify a record that seems to slant towards accusing the city of unfairly evacuating them from their undamaged space. As I understand it -- and please correct me if I'm wrong -- while their space was undamaged, the damage in the South Hall has left their space without any remaining fire escape route, and abutting a wall (and the entire northern roofline) of the South Hall that still hasn't been fully evaluated in terms of structural stability.

I can't imangine the city allowing anyone inside the bldg while construction is on-going. There are safety issues to consider. Discussions are currently underway, in any event, to relocate the pottery studio as part of the reconstrucion of the space. We will continue to give thanks to the City for its quick responee. All of us need to keep a perspective here and maintain a view to what is good for the entire Eastern Market.