Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Fire Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City updates recovery plan after downtown Brookings fire; 320 Main declared total loss
Summary
City staff reported on cleanup and preservation work after a December downtown fire, saying one building is a total loss, another is structurally sound and restoration work is planned this construction season.
City staff updated the Brookings City Council on recovery and next steps after a downtown fire that began Dec. 30, 2024, saying one building at 320 Main Avenue has been declared a total loss while others are undergoing structural assessment and restoration planning.
Jake Meske, speaking for city staff, said the fire impacted structures at 314, 318, 320 and 322 Main Avenue. He said the city convened a fire response task force made up of staff from multiple departments — the city manager's office, fire and police departments, public works, community development and municipal utilities — to coordinate communications, site remediation and reviews under municipal and state historic-preservation rules.
Meske said the 314 Main Avenue building "has been determined to be structurally sound and undergoing restoration efforts with a target of being operational in summer 2025." He said 318 Main Avenue (Bros Fashions), where the fire originated, had a recent structural analysis and quotes for debris removal; the owner submitted a Section 11-1 review with the State Historic Preservation Office.
"That building has been declared a total loss," Meske said of 320 Main Avenue, and he said demolition permits and historic-preservation approvals had been obtained for removal of that structure. Work to shore a shared wall at 322 Main Avenue (the Exchange) is ongoing; Meske said completion of the shoring is required before demolition of the adjacent 320 Main Avenue can proceed.
Meske said timelines are fluid because they depend on historic-preservation reviews, demolition and building permits, contractor availability and weather. He said the majority of impacted property owners have expressed interest in monthly coordination meetings with the city and Downtown Brookings to share progress and identify cooperation opportunities. The city plans to provide monthly updates to the council and supplement with press releases and social-media communications as appropriate.
Council members asked for additional timelines; Meske reiterated that the goal is to see things move this construction season but noted the city would avoid promising fixed dates where factors are outside owners' control.
