Defects in Central Market

The principal defect in Central Market was the lack of proper sanitation to protect the health of consumers. This lack of maintenance of proper sanitation came about as a result of technological changes in food handling during the past century. Without any plan for financing improvements it was not possible to put into effect changes as they were needed during this period.

As a result, Central Market was a barnlike structure that locked sufficient sunlight, ventilation, and artificial lighting for the operation of a food market in a sanitary manner. The construction of the building did not permit the proper control of rodents, flies, and other insects, and the premises could not be properly cleaned. The only water available in the building was that provided near the offices, which situation did not encourage tenants to properly clean their stalls or stands. Dealers followed the practice of placing sawdust and wood shavings on the entire floor of the building. With heavy pedestrian traffic moving through the market–up to 30,000 per day–this material became dirty, was ground up fine, and was continually stirred up by gusts of wind or the movement of traffic. These particles were in the air and came to rest on exposed food products offered for sale by retail dealers.

There were no designated places or receptacles provided for the disposal of trash and garbage. Many tons of refuse were thrown into adjacent streets, which caused excessive expense to the city in cleaning the streets and the interior of the market.

Central Market was surrounded by streets, with streetcar and bus lines running on all aides. Sidewalk space around the building was shallow. The location caused considerable congestion of pedestrians moving into and out of the market and tended to congest vehicular traffic on adjacent streets. The lack of adequate parking and unloading apace in or near the market added to the congestion. These conditions made it impossible for dealers in the market and buyers coming to the market to be properly serviced.

Another detect was that fish dealers were not separated from dealers in other types of commodities. Although there were only a few fish dealers, the fish odors permeated the entire market.

Central Market did not provide adequate refrigeration. The refrigerated storage apace used by dealers was across East Fourth Street and in some cases a halt to three-quarters of a block away from the market. When the day’s business was completed, dealers carried or pushed on hand trucks the commodities to be stored. In many instances, meats and other products were moved to the storage plant in open barrels or containers am thus exposed to the dust and dirt from the street.

There was a serious lack of public toilet facilities in the market building, and those available were on the mezzanine and not accessible to the general public.