Rethinking Eastern Market Metro Plaza

Eastern Market Metro Plaza, Southwest Quadrant, Friday afternoon.

Missing sculptures: There are various reports about the status of “Loveful Hands,” (left) but no definitive reason why it has not been installed on the granite base that awaits it outside the entrance to Metro. The status of “Weavings,” (right) which was scheduled to be installed near the entrance to Trader Joe’s is even less certain. The third element of the public art commissioned for the plaza “Found You,” by Beth Nybeck, was installed on the Northeast quadrant near the playground in August of 2022.

Rethinking Eastern Market Metro Plaza

by Larry Janezich

Posted February 17, 2024

Last year, CM Charles Allen’s office secured a written Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among five agencies regarding responsibilities for maintenance of Eastern Market Metro Plaza. 

Last Wednesday night, ANC6B unanimously agreed to send a follow up letter to the Councilmember urging the open design of the Southeast quadrant of the plaza with the Metro entrance be rethought to make it function as well as the Northeast quadrant with its children’s playground and splash pad.

The letter lists successes and failures of the current plaza and recommendations for expanding the scope of services of agencies responsible for its maintenance.  The letter was generated by the ANC’s Parks and Public Spaces Task Force chaired by Commissioner Jerry Sroufe. 

Sroufe told the ANC that in many ways the plaza has been a great success and in other ways it has been a disappointment.  The letter to the Councilmember lists these as well as some recommendations. 

Among the successes, the letter lists the evening concerts, the July Fourth ceremony, the community holiday tree lighting and the Saturday summer programs for children of all ages.  For younger children, it notes that the splash pad and play equipment on the Northeast quadrant have been popular and attractive additions.  The ANC says it looks forward to linking programs of the remodeled SE Library with the plaza. 

Among the concerns listed:

• The plaza remains incomplete.  Sculptures planned for the plaza or adjacent to it have not been installed.  These include the Jay Coleman’s “Loveful Hands” sculpture which is supposed to reside on the granite platform near the Metro entrance, and Hiroski Jacob’s “Weavings” which was to be sited near the entrance to Trader Joe’s. 
• The movable furniture that was an integral part of the plaza design near the Metro entrance has largely been removed and has not been replaced: a recent count revealed that there were only 13 tables remaining and only six chairs. Also, the landscaping program has been generally inadequate.
• Maintenance continues to be spotty. There are three light posts on the ground on the plaza near the Metro entrance. The problem of gravel spreading across the pavement with each rain has not been addressed.  Fencing necessary to protect the shrubs has not been provided.
• The plaza near the Metro entrance does not provide a safe, attractive environment.  It has attracted groups of unsupervised students and the homeless in sufficient numbers to discourage activities such as a quiet lunch or reading in the park. The Metro and MPD are frequently called to the plaza especially in the after-school hours.  (The letter does not mention that some observers allege illegal drug activity on the plaza.)  

Recommendations: 

First, that a group of community representatives be convened to determine if the best approach moving forward is to rethink the design components of the park (e.g., movable furniture, open design), or to suggest other changes or actions designed to make the Southwest side of the park work as well as the Northeast side. The group might include the Stakeholder’s Taskforce engaged in the original design of the park, among others.

Second, the roster of agencies contributing to the current MOA should be expanded, formally or informally, to include the MPD and the Board of Education.

Third, the MOA signatories be regarded as a continuing body and be re-convened on occasion to assess progress being made toward achieving the objectives of the MOA.

Fourth, the ANC urged the establishment of public restrooms on the Eastern Market Metro Park.