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Empty hole remains in downtown Williams
City seeking reimbursement for demolition

Now that the debris has been cleared away from the burning of the historic Shen's Photo Studio building between the Canyon Club and Sundancer on Route 66, residents and visitors are left to stare through an empty corridor.

So the question is, "What now?"

According to county records, the property, still owned by Frances Reuter, is free of any liens, save for one being attached by the city for its costs.

The city of Williams is seeking reimbursement for demolition costs and time spent on the issue by fire/police crews and city workers. According to City Manager Dennis Wells, that amount may be as high as $200,000.

At the same time, the city is also pursuing legal action against Reuter for its reimbursement. The lien, Wells said, acts as insurance for the city's costs.

Adjacent businesses that suffered damage during the fire have nearly completed their remodeling efforts. John Holst's Red Garter Bed and Bakery to the west has gone through what Holst calls an "unscheduled remodeling," including dry cleaning of soft contents, drywall repair, carpet cleaning/replacement, and more. He estimates his damages ‹ with loss of revenue ‹ to be about $75,000 or more.

The Canyon Club to the east suffered extensive exterior and interior smoke, fire, and water damage. Owners Marc and Teresa Stevens have successfully redone the club's back rooms, which were the most damaged areas.

Currently, there is much speculation about what should be done with the building should it either come under the ownership of the city or be put back out on the open market.

Holst and the Stevens' have both indicated that the property, should it be put back on the market, would make an ideal expansion to both businesses.

"Any of the neighbors here would look at that as an opportunity to expand," Holst said. "If it came back out on the market, I'd look at it, but it would have to fit into my business plan."

Some organizations within Williams have expressed their desire to turn the corridor into a park or town square of sorts, should the city gain possession.

The Williams Historic Preservation Society has been keeping their collective eye on the issue since the fire.

According to WHPC Chairman Bob Kelley, the commission sent a letter to the city and appeared before council convincing leaders to save as much of the façade material on the building's Railroad Avenue side as possible for future reconstruction.

Certified demolition crews under the supervision of Dale Perkins (Perkins Power Wash) were hired by the city to tear down the building's skeletal remains. Perkins said the only salvaged part of the north face was the façade's balcony and some of its upper portion tin, which is all in storage with the city.

"If a new building goes in, they need to replace it with a historically correct building," Kelley said.

WHPC member Harriet Lockwood agreed.

"We'd like to see it rebuilt, but we're not sure if anyone would be able to," she said, adding that if a similar structure couldn't be put it, then other options are available. "What I'd like to see is a little park where people could enjoy the city."

Williams Main Street Coordinator David Kemp revealed that the association has proposed that the city construct a wall or fake façade on either side of the corridor with benches and planters out front for both safety and aesthetics until something is actually done with the lot.


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