Harrisburg officials have identified this grassy lot across the street from the Broad Street Market as a potential site for relocating some displaced vendors until the brick market house (upper left) is restored.
Harrisburg hopes to have a temporary home for displaced Broad Street Market vendors set up in less than a month, officials said on Friday.
On Friday afternoon, city Business Administrator Dan Hartman and Fire Chief Brian Enterline met in a large, grassy field directly across the street from the market, along with the property owner.
There, they measured off the area and assessed the utility situation, with hopes of setting up a heavy-duty, tent-like structure, complete with flooring, within two to four weeks.
According to Hartman, planning is still underway in securing a temporary home for the 23 vendors displaced from the 150-year-old brick market building following an early-morning fire on Monday.
However, he thought the site could work until the market building is restored, which likely would take 18 to 24 months, he said.
“We’re moving as quickly as we can,” Hartman said. “The mayor said that she wants this done.”
Currently, the city is considering a few different scenarios for a temporary location, Hartman said.
In one, most of the displaced vendors would take space in the new temporary spot across the street. In another, tables would be removed from the 160-year-old stone building, which was untouched by the fire, and some vendors would build out their stands there. The market’s dining area then would be relocated to the temporary structure, probably along with some of the vendors.
Hartman and Enterline also toured a nearby building that is currently empty, though, at least on Friday, that seemed like a less likely possibility.
Some displaced vendors set up on Friday in the Broad Street Market courtyard.
For a permanent solution, Hartman said that the brick building could be restored in phases, which would accelerate the reopening timeline.
The western side of the building is still largely intact, having mostly suffered water and smoke damage. Restoring and reopening that portion of the building might occur first, followed by the eastern side of the building, which was heavily damaged by the fire and lost its roof.
In fact, according to the Historic Harrisburg Association, the two-block long brick building was actually constructed in three phases, with separate openings in 1874, 1878 and 1886.
Otherwise on Friday, more than half-a-dozen displaced vendors set up outside, under small tents, in the Broad Street Market courtyard, for a second day. Tanis Monroy, the market’s executive director, said that he expects even more vendors and a large crowd of patrons on Saturday, as the market hosts its previously scheduled Christmas in July event, which will take place despite the devastating fire.
Hartman mentioned that city officials are grateful for the help of both Dauphin County and the state. Many high-ranking commonwealth officials, including from the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Governor, live right in the Midtown neighborhood and have pledged to try to cut through the red tape so that restoration can get underway as quickly as possible.
In fact, Gov. Josh Shapiro attended a post-fire press conference on Monday, vowing to help rebuild the market.
“We’re very lucky to have all these people right here in Harrisburg,” Hartman said.
Friends of Midtown has put together a spreadsheet with donation and purchase opportunities for the market and its many vendors. Click here to see how to help.
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