Awaiting Reconstruction After The Fire

Photo taken by Alyn Covington

By: Lillian Stewart, Skyline Intern

ALPINE- After the devastating fire that took place last May in downtown Alpine, Sul Ross students and local community members eagerly await the reconstruction of the affected area.

The City Council has expressed their hopes for the future of the downtown area, and confirmed that the property was sold by Bill Ivey to an unknown buyer. When a fire broke out on the evening of May 26th last year, local community members were devastated at the destruction of such a significant area of downtown Alpine. Familiar businesses known throughout the community suffered major losses, and the city of Alpine grieved together. It has been almost a year since the fire took place, and Alpine has somewhat recovered in a variety of ways. Several local businesses that were affected have relocated and thus restored traditions and services valued by the community.

A local group of artists called Create Space, as well as artists from the Big Bend Art Gallery, worked together to create a mural of support on the barrier blocking the affected area. The mural reads “Alpine will rise from the ashes.” The presence of the mural showed community members coming together to begin recovering from the devastating incident.

However, as time passes, community members and students alike wonder when reconstruction of the downtown area will truly take place.

“I'm not really sure what they would put in that space, but I do have high hopes,” said Sul Ross student Emily Oyama. “As beautiful as the mural downtown is, I can't wait to see what will actually end up there,” said community member Violet Mack. “We have been saying that Alpine will rise from the ashes, but when?” said Sul Ross Dual Credit student Teresa Ritzi.

According to City Council member Daryn Nance, the council gave City Manager Megan Antrim the ability to negotiate with the owner of the affected property, Bill Ivey. However, according to the City Council, Bill Ivey chose to proceed with another investor. City council member Rick Stevens said, “he notified the city that he sold the property, but did not provide information about who it was sold to.”

City council members said they are optimistic that whoever the new buyer is will begin reconstruction on the now currently damaged property.

“That space is too important downtown to sit idle,” said Ward 3 member Daryn Nance. “We are looking forward to finding out who purchased it and what their plans are for the roughly 14,000 square feet of property.”