Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: OT: Fire on Union St.
Page: 3 of 3
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 11/18/2014 5:46 PM
Just talked with one of the co-owners of the Union building. They don't yet know what the rebuilding will cost. A structural engineer is in the process of accessing the damage and coming up with an estimate. They are particularly concerned about the front wall, which may have sustained damage that's not repairable. If that's the case, they might need to tear down and build a new building from scratch. At this point they are not sure. If the front wall is deemed repairable, the rebuild could be easier. Also, contrary to something else that was posted either in this thread or the other fire thread in Siberia, the building at least dates back to the 1880s. It was once known as the Elk Hotel. The co-owner that I talked with has seen an old picture of the building when it was the Elk Hotel with carriages parked out in front.
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/18/2014 6:21 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Just talked with one of the co-owners of the Union building. They don't yet know what the rebuilding will cost. A structural engineer is in the process of accessing the damage and coming up with an estimate. They are particularly concerned about the front wall, which may have sustained damage that's not repairable. If that's the case, they might need to tear down and build a new building from scratch. At this point they are not sure. If the front wall is deemed repairable, the rebuild could be easier. Also, contrary to something else that was posted either in this thread or the other fire thread in Siberia, the building at least dates back to the 1880s. It was once known as the Elk Hotel. The co-owner that I talked with has seen an old picture of the building when it was the Elk Hotel with carriages parked out in front.
OCF, you may already be very familiar with this Facebook page, but there's a tremendous photo of the Elk Hotel here (would love to post the photo, but can't, so I hope this link works)

https://www.facebook.com/athenshistory/photos/pb.49107472...
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 11/18/2014 6:46 PM
Stunter, thanks for posting. I had not seen that photo, but I think that's the one my friend was talking about. I've sent him a link to see if it's the same one he has seen.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 11/18/2014 7:42 PM
awesome photo

amazing to think about 1803 and the timeframe that brought us the state of OHIO and just how close we are to the actual history that brought the westward expansion
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 11/19/2014 12:09 AM
borna . . . with your interest in history, you might want to check out my recent post in Siberia. Also, glad to see that you are on the mend and that you are posting more regularly with each passing week. Really good sign. Hope to see you in Athens before long!
bobcatinmichigan
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Posted: 11/19/2014 2:20 AM
Not trying to call you anything, just clarify. It's not like there were half a dozen apartments above the Sundry, there was one (with a frat house across the hall in the apt. above what I guess is now the Smoke Shop). Since i had the lease to myself, i just thought it was odd. Perhaps you were there for a short time before i took over the lease (More specifically, around spring 2001 through late 2002). If there is one thing in my life I will never forget, it's where I was on 9/11 - in the living room of 14 1/2 watching live news). It was a shithole, there is no disputing that. I find myself suprised by how much this fire rattled me. Im very happy that the OU (and West Union) community has rallied to help find housing and make up for lost wages.

I hear the fire investigator says it looks like it started in the back of 16W (clothing shop?)
shabamon
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Posted: 11/19/2014 9:39 AM
I was surprised there wasn't a short feature on the fire during last night's ESPNU broadcast. Not that I would want to focus on the lost homes and damaged businesses, but rather the outpouring of support and donations. Could have been an opportunity for to praise the community and alumni.
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 11/19/2014 1:04 PM
http://www.traxlertees.com/shop/clothing/unionstreetstron.../

If you haven't seen these, they are t-shirts/sweatshirts/hoodies designed to raise $ for the fire victims are pretty great. #UnionStStrong

All proceeds are going towards the businesses affected and it helps Uptown Dog because they will be printing them.

I already ordered one. The article in the Post about this says more than 70 have already been sold!
Last Edited: 11/19/2014 1:06:28 PM by OUbobcat9092
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/19/2014 1:56 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I was surprised there wasn't a short feature on the fire during last night's ESPNU broadcast. Not that I would want to focus on the lost homes and damaged businesses, but rather the outpouring of support and donations. Could have been an opportunity for to praise the community and alumni.
I think they had enough fires of their own to deal with last night. I'm not usually one to critique announcers, but that was not good.
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