50th Anniversary and Ending of the Lease

As the Market approached its 50th anniversary and the end of its lease with the city turmoil was spinning. As early as 1971 Mayor Sam Massell had announced the city would not renew the lease. Massell argued that the Market had outlived its usefulness. He claimed that the city should be receiving at least $100,000 a year, but never received any sort of revenue other than business license and taxes from tenants. Massell argued that the sole purpose of the market was to provide a place for farmers to bring their goods to sell, but given the earlier published articles from the time of the opening of the market the purpose was to allow a place for housewives and others to shop for local foods. Sam Massell also argued that there were “no farmers working there today.” He believed that it was unfair to use city funds for the market and those should go towards an airport or library because “more people use such facilities.” He went so far as to say it would make a great location for a transportation depot. The people of the city worked hard to save the market. State Representative E.J. Shepherd called for a meeting of citizens at his restaurant, which was across from the market. He asked residents to pray for the market. Kilpatrick, manager of the Market Association, said that he had the support of 43 tenants to undertake raising the $100,000 needed to update the Market. Massell changed his mind in Feburary of 1973, recommending that the there be a 10 year lease, he said “First, there was an outpouring of sentiment on the part of Atlantans generally that the market be continued. Second, I am convinced that with proper management and promotion, the market can become a public attraction in the manner of Underground Atlanta. Several other cities across the country have successfully developed and promoted their old public markets in this manner.” Under the proposed agreement there would be a Municipal Company with a Board that would run the whole Market.

Rats and the USDA

The first article to mention the state of the health and safety of the market was in reference to renewing the lease. Massell claimed that there were large rats in the basement, the same basement that housed the Black tenants. In 1974, a year after the lease was renewed, the USDA ordered for the market to close. The U.S. government blamed the market’s issues on widespread rat infestation. According to the lawsuit, investigators found “rodent defilement of food.” They further claimed numerous live rats and mice as well as raw sewage that overflowed on the floor.

Board members of the market felt that the US was going to far. They claimed that there was a million dollar renovation plan to be signed a week after the notice. Further some felt that, while yes, there was a problem, it was being fixed before the USDA signed the notice. The FDA asked for an injunction for the Market to close until the problem was eliminated and the area was made suitable for storage and sale of food.

Andrew Young, Congressman at the time, vowed to keep the Market alive. Young said of the market, “this market has been an institution in this community for so long. I shop here for meats and fish and vegetables.” Many felt that the FDA was motivated by political pressure to move quickly on the court order. According to Jackson, there were rumors that a member of the board wanted the Market closed so he could build his own.

A study was completed by Georgia State regarding the viability of the Market, but this was never released and the officials in charge of the study were told to never reveal the contents. Instead a board of directors was appointed. Mayor Maynard Jackson gave the option of a million dollar loan with a ten year lease if 75% of the market tenants signed said lease. Many signed the lease but were worried about the higher rent prices. Many tenants felt as though they had nowhere else to go.

With five Atlanta banks chipping in the market was able to stay open and renovate the Market. This included air conditioning, new plumbing, new electrical wiring, 8,000 square feet in the basement for retail, a new roof, refinishing the interior, and new food storage methods, as well as additional parking. The upgrades came with renewed interest in serving the community and a nomination to become a historical landmark. Bill Moss, the Market’s manager said, “we are going to make our living with the downtown people. We would like people to buy exotic foods here but the people we depend on are the people who live in this community.” At the time of the lease renewals and updates the Market produced more sales volume per square foot than Lenox Mall.