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abbott district |
re al e stat e
a new lease on Life
BUSINESSES BURNED IN THE ABBOTT DISTRICT FIRE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO REBUILDING
Following tragic fire, First Avenue gets a facelift by Cameron Rasmusson
T
he fire that gutted three historic First Avenue SandAround 1 a.m., a fire kindled in the building located at 202 First point buildings in February 2019 dealt irreparable Ave. Before long, the localized fire was a conflagration, ripping damage to the downtown core’s identity. through downtown Sandpoint and engulfing a block of historic Every tragedy, however, presents an opportunity. brick buildings. Five businesses were destroyed in the blaze: The properties of 202 and 204 North First Ave. are now a blank The Hound, China Kitchen, Sandpoint Chocolate Bear, Headslate. And Sandpoint City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton lines Salon and Sandpoint Tattoo. Grace Sandpoint Church was said several forces—redevelopment of the burned blocks, the damaged but survived the fire, closing temporarily. ongoing downtown revitalization project and several planned For months, there were more questions than answers. An business expansions—are working in tandem to give First investigation by the Idaho State Fire Marshal proceeded slowly. CUSTOM HOMES | REMODELS | ADDITIONS Avenue a new lease on life. Economic growth can be messy, On April 12, state authorities ruled the fire accidental, bringing but looking past the burned bricks and upturned asphalt, many the matter to a legal close. But there was still the question of officials and business owners see a bright future. what to do with the burned block as the annual summer tourist “I think a lot of people were discouraged when they saw loomed large. To prevent a public safety hazard, the burned businesses closing or the fire downtown, but what we’re seeing buildings were partially demolished and fenced off. Later in the happening now is a real cause for hope,” said I Saw Something year, vinyl coverings portraying the history of downtown SandShiny owner Lizbeth Turley Fausnight. point gave residents and visitors alike a more informative and There didn’t appear to be much cause for hope on the mornvisually pleasing sight as they strolled the downtown blocks. The fire investigation and beautification efforts solved the iming of February 11. Sandpoint residents and downtown busimediate crisis. But it left open a critical question: What does the ness owners awoke to a scene of devastation on First Avenue. SANDPOINTMAGAZINE.COM
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