ALPINE — The community of Alpine is mobilizing to support the individuals whose businesses and property were destroyed in a May 26 fire that ravaged a historic building on West Holland Avenue by launching fundraisers, events and reimagining the now-vacant downtown lot.
The cause of the fire was declared “undetermined” May 29 following an investigation by the Alpine Police Department and state fire marshal’s office. Cement trucks carrying water were brought in last week to squelch remaining flare-ups, and a temporary wall has been erected to keep people out of the area due to safety concerns.
The City of Alpine held a workshop this week, in which several of those affected by the fire were present, to discuss how to support those in need and next steps for the scorched structure.
Director of the Alpine Historical Society Abbey Branch provided updates on the nonprofit’s emergency relief fundraiser launched the day after the fire to support impacted businesses and their employees. As of press time, the historical society had received $31,000 in donations.
Branch extended gratitude to donors, particularly Far West Guitars, that helped contribute $2,000 to the fund, and to West Texas National Bank for allowing the nonprofit to open a bank account for the fund without a service charge or check fees.
She said the organization is in the process of contacting all of the business owners to encourage them to fill out applications by June 6, and fund distributions could occur as early as this Thursday. “The main thing is, we want to get these funds into the hands of the victims of the fire as soon as possible,” Branch said.
She explained that funds will be distributed on a rolling basis as donations continue to come in and will be evenly divided among vendors. “We will look at all the money that is donated and we will divide it up between the five businesses, with the exception of some of the funds that have been earmarked by donors for certain folks,” Branch said.
In addition to the five primary business owners, Branch said contractors, artists or other vendors operating within those spaces may also apply to receive relief funds. As of press time, Branch said applications had been received from Gallery on the Square, including one contract artist, Judy’s Bread and Breakfast, La Azteca, Eva’s Salon, including one contractor, and two independent contractors from Vintage Antiques and Snazzy Things.
Branch said applicants will be required to submit a W-9 tax form. The historical society is advising businesses to consult with a tax attorney or certified public accountant, and letting them know that they may need to pay taxes on donations. Mayor Catherine Eaves issued a disaster declaration this week in response to the fire, which may prove legally useful for financial filings.
The historical society’s goal is to help businesses resume operations. Branch said several people reached out to offer their spaces to businesses displaced by the fire, with temporary offerings including Kishmish Plaza and the former Apache Trading Post. Alcove Social is being offered to Judy’s on either a temporary or permanent basis, she said, and 212 N 6th Street, a building adjacent to the courthouse, was also an option.
“If anybody’s interested in these spaces please contact us,” Branch said.
Jan Moeller, president of the Big Bend Arts Council, which ran Gallery on the Square, a co-op arts space displaying the work of around 30 artists, said their main needs for the time being are for rental assistance, display replacements and artist support. She explained that the council was in the process of searching for a new space and was “overwhelmed” by the support they have received from the community.
Eva Lucrecia Olivas, the owner of Eva’s Salon and a city council member, also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support, explaining that she had already found a rent-free space to continue to serve clients while getting back on her feet. She said even though the fire resulted in the heartbreaking loss of several long-running businesses, including her own, the tragedy is strengthening the community.
“It’s not only our businesses. It’s our history, many wonderful stories that the community had in the past,” Olivas said. “We keep that in our hearts and we can keep going.”
Mayor Eaves said a local counselor had reached out to offer free counseling services to anyone impacted by the fire, and interested parties could reach out to her via email for the counselor’s contact information.
Options for revitalizing the site itself were also discussed. The building’s owner, Bill Ivey, previously told The Big Bend Sentinel the building was not insured. Ivey was present at the city workshop to hear ideas about what to do with the historic structure, which dated back to 1911 and served as an important commercial hub for the town.
“We don’t have the money to rebuild what we lost, but I’m open to anybody and everybody that has any suggestions,” Ivey said. “It’s going to be a slow process.”
Councilmember Rick Stephens said one of the building’s remaining adobe walls had already fallen down and the area should continue to be blocked off due to safety concerns. City Manager Megan Antrim said it is likely that what remains of the building will need to be demolished. Ivey said the idea of demolition “concerns [him] deeply” and he would like to salvage the old adobe bricks.
The idea of painting a mural on the temporary wall erected around the front of the building was brought up, with Chris Ruggia, the director of tourism for the City of Alpine, explaining they would be able to use HOT tax dollars to support the project.
Regarding a longer-term solution, Antrim said the city would like to see the building eventually reestablished, but they would support whatever decision Ivey makes. “We’d like a business to come in there,” Antrim said. “It is the property owner’s ultimate decision on the direction he would like to take.”
Branch said one of the options, which several people at the meeting expressed support for, would be to, once the site is cleaned up, install festoon lighting and turn the space into somewhat of a town square, open for farmer’s markets, concerts and pop-ups. The plaza concept could bide Ivey, and potentially the historical society, some time to fundraise for a historically-accurate replacement to be erected.
“We don’t want to rush and get something up there that’s wrong, that doesn’t fit and interferes with the architectural integrity of downtown Alpine,” Branch said.
She also emphasized that ongoing discussions between the planning and zoning committee and historical society about designating a downtown historic district — which would allow building owners to apply for grants and tax credits with the state — should be revitalized.
Ivey said he was open to all of those ideas, and didn’t want to contribute to even more vacant buildings than already exist, turning downtown Alpine back into a “ghost town” as it was when he bought the building back in 2001.
Councilmember Darin Nance encouraged everyone to keep in mind that the site was “prime real estate” that would ideally add to the city’s tax rolls.
While no specific code violations about the building were cited, Councilmember Stephens said the building’s destruction was a reminder to all building owners to be proactive in reaching out to the city’s new Building Official Robert Ruckes to ensure they are in compliance with building codes. “Check out grease traps, check out stoves, check out hoods, check out attics. Those are the right things to go do,” Stephens said.
While several benefit events have taken place and will take place for fire victims, Ruggia shouted out an upcoming two-day event taking place Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, being put on by Visit Alpine, Artwalk, the Big Bend Arts Council and more that will include several live music acts.
“Musicians started contacting me, wanting to play and share their talents and support the folks whose businesses were destroyed,” Ruggia said.
An exact schedule has yet to be determined, he said, but Friday night events will take place at the Granada Theatre and Alcove Social and benefit the Alpine Historical Society emergency relief fund. A Saturday event, including a barbecue and silent auction, will take place at the American Legion in Alpine and specifically benefit The Gallery on The Square.
“The hope is that we can all have that spot to come together and celebrate the community, help out the folks whose lives were impacted,” Ruggia said. “I’m also hoping to invite some folks from out of town to dip into their pockets as well.”
To donate to the Alpine Historical Society recovery fund, visit their Facebook Page Historic Alpine.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Alpine Historical Society intends to consult with a tax attorney regarding its relief fund, and that donations will not be taxed. Leaders of the organization clarified that it is the responsibility of the business owners receiving the donations to work with a tax attorney or certified public accountant to figure out if taxes need to be paid on donations. We regret the error.