City outlines recovery steps after Dec. 30 downtown fire that hit four buildings

The city has convened an interdepartmental fire response task force to coordinate safety, debris removal and rebuilding after a Dec. 30 fire that started at Bros Fashions and damaged four contiguous buildings on Main Avenue.

Deputy City Manager Jake Meschke, who presented the update to the joint City Council and County Commission, said the task force includes the city manager's office, fire and police departments, public works, community development and Brookings Municipal Utilities and has met three times so far to manage short- and long-term recovery steps.

The task force’s immediate priorities are safety and security at the sites, debris removal and structural analyses. “The first and continued priority for the impacted buildings is to ensure safety and security,” Meschke said. He said staff extended the barricaded perimeter after a partial collapse and has condemned the Bros property to require the owner to submit a safety plan before contractors or representatives enter the site.

Meschke provided a building-by-building overview. A structural analysis completed for 314 Main Avenue (the Gruden Wall Building) showed the building is structurally sound; the owner is pursuing restoration with a target to reopen summer 2025. The owner of 318 Main Avenue (Bros Fashions) has expressed a desire to rebuild and is soliciting debris-removal quotes. 320 Main Avenue (7 Songbirds) has been declared a total loss by insurance and the owner is soliciting demolition quotes; rebuilding there depends on shared-wall issues with 322 Main Avenue (the Exchange). Structural analysis for 322 Main Avenue is under review, and owners have signaled willingness to coordinate with adjacent property owners on reconstruction timing and methods.

Downtown Brookings Executive Director Kirsten Jezdahl said business relocation has proceeded quickly where possible: “Anything that can happen quickly has happened. Anyone who can easily relocate or reopen either are open or will be opening within the next few weeks,” she said, listing several businesses that have reopened or set up temporary locations downtown.

Jezdahl and city staff said community fundraising has generated roughly $75,000 so far. The Brookings Economic Development Corporation and the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce each contributed $25,000, with additional community fundraisers making up the balance. The BEDC is administering reimbursements: affected businesses (21 total) apply and may be reimbursed up to $3,000 for documented costs; a committee reviews applications and may provide a second round if funds remain.

Meschke said timelines for debris removal and rebuilding are fluid and depend on structural analyses, insurance processing and required historic-preservation and building permits. He said monthly progress updates will be provided to the council for the foreseeable future and that supplemental press releases and social-media updates may be used.

City staff asked owners and the public to note that some rear and adjacent parking areas are private property; the public parking lot east of 314 Main Avenue remains open. The city will continue to meet with impacted owners and Downtown Brookings to identify opportunities for cooperation.