Officials Announce Plan To Rebuild Lexington Market

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A brand new Lexington Market is in the works, and it's more than a facelift. The plan announced Friday calls for the existing building to be torn down and a whole new structure built to replace it.

Lexington Market was already decades old when Faidley's Seafood was opened there in 1886. It's been through many stages, and now comes this one--a brand new building next door to the current one.

"I think we are the oldest market in the country, and this is such an historic area. We're looking forward to it," said Nancy Faidley Devine, whose family has always been there.

In a video released about the project, the current and future mayors agree.

"Will bring jobs to this community, will help spark and be a catalyst for development," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

"It's going to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs, and we're looking at bringing more local entrepreneurs into this market," Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh said.

Entrepreneurs like Connie's, which opened just five months ago.

"Pretty much, we wanted to be open in a place that has a lot of energy, a place that's central to the whole city, so Lexington Market was the natural choice," said Khari Parker, co-owner, Connie's.

The businesses will stay open until the new building is ready. A park will be built in place of the old building.

The project will take about three years to complete.