The Northeast Market in East Baltimore began it first significant renovation in decades, a $2 million facelift that will take about six months to complete.
The 36,000-square-foot market near Johns Hopkins Hospital will get new doors, facade, entrance, more seating and better lighting. A candy and flower stall in the front of the market that will hopefully create a more upscale look that is more inviting for visitors, says Casper Genco, executive director of the
Baltimore Public Markets Corp. Genco says he'll relocate five tenants in order to make room for additional seating and new tenants.
The nonprofit oversees Baltimore’s public markets while the city owns the property. The Baltimore Public Markets Corp. is putting $750,000 toward the renovation. Another $300,000 is coming from Johns Hopkins University and Health System. It's also getting grant money from the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition Inc.
Modernizing the facility will hopefully appeal to Johns Hopkins Hospital staff and visitors. Genco says he will also look for opportunities to expand the market’s healthful food offerings and hopes that new menu boards will help visitors locate vendors who sell healthier fare.
The Avenue Market on Pennsylvania Avenue reopened in the fall with about $500,000 worth of renovations and seven new stalls. The Baltimore Public Markets Corp. also oversees Cross Street Market in Federal Hill and Broadway Market in Fells Point.
“Each of these public markets is a focal point of the community,” Genco says.
Check out BmoreMedia's 2011
feature on Northeast Market and the
companion audio piece.
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Casper Genco, Baltimore Public Markets Corp.