Businesses closed into next week after fire on East Adams Street in Springfield
Less than 24 hours after a fire destroyed a building in the 400 block of East Adams Street in downtown Springfield, Mayor Misty Buscher met with business owners and assembled media to give an update on what's next.
Buscher was joined by Fire Chief Ed Canny; Police Chief Ken Scarlette; Communications Director Haley Wilson; Office of Planning and Economic Development Director Val Yazell; Director of Public Works Dave Fuchs; Downtown Springfield Inc. Director Carlos Ortega and representatives of O’Shea Builders and Hanson Professional Services.
Block of Adams Street to remain closed
According to Canny, the structural safety of the building was still treacherous, so the 400 block of East Adams will remain closed indefinitely until remains of the building are demolished.
Final demolition for the building, which was split on the first floor but open on the upper floors, was set for Tuesday.
Two buildings east of the burned building seem more likely to be salvageable according to Michael O’Shea, president of O’Shea Builders.
Fuchs said the front of the building was so unstable that it was taken down late Wednesday night.
The face and guts of the building are gone, save for certain walls keeping the burnt interior inside the frame for city-worker safety.
The fire which brought over 70 firefighters to the scene. The cause, Canny said, was still undetermined.
A firefighter who was injured by a falling piece of ceiling was recovering and has been discharged from Springfield Memorial Hospital according to Canny.
Business closures until demolition ends
All businesses – save for Buzz Bomb Brewing Co which has a separate side entrance – will be closed for the following week at least for the building’s demolition.
Downtown family of businesses
The building at 413 Adams housed The Cat's Pyjamas on the bottom floor. Elf Shelf Books & Music was moving into the second, while the "Pillsburied" exhibit was on the third floor.
All floors collapsed in on themselves due to the fire, which also destroyed 415 East Adams.
Electric Quill owner Steve Limon, which only opened his tattoo parlor on May 11, suffered loss of equipment totaling around $12,000.
The 400 block of East Adams is also known as the "Adams Family" by local businesses, so downtown businesses like Ad Astra Wine Bar are already setting up ways for community members to donate to the affected businesses.
A meeting has been set on Monday to discuss fundraising opportunities between businesses looking to help.
More: 'A sad day for downtown Springfield': Building damaged by fire will come down
“You’re talking to the heart and soul of these entrepreneurs to build up on Adams Street,” Yazell said. “They have joined up together in a way that I’ve not really experienced with very many locations.”
Donations to help displaced
A fund set up at the Illinois National Bank by former DSI director Lisa Clemmons Stott for direct donations to help the displaced residents and business owners.
Donations to the “Benefit for Businesses Affected by Adams Family Fire” will be accepted at any INB location.
Old Capitol Farmers Market goes on
Ortega said the Old Capitol Farmers Market will go on this Saturday and coming weeks and will stay on Adams Street, but will be moving closer to the intersection of Second Street.
“I think we can grow from this tragedy,” Ortega said. “You can see how the community has come together today to actually encourage all the resources that the city has and the mayor’s support… I think we can be a stronger downtown because of this.”
Twelve people displaced
Twelve people living in apartments above buildings 411, 417 and 421 East Adams were displaced.
OPED is working with them to find new accommodations.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for the State Journal-Register. She can be reached at [email protected]; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: East Adams fire closes nearby businesses into next week
