Naples seeks grant to rebuild at Main and Mill

NAPLES – The village of Naples is applying for state aid to rebuild at the corner of Main and Mill streets. The three-unit apartment building that had housed two businesses was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Aug. 5.

On Wednesday, what remained of the structure at 102 N. Main St. was demolished, with cleanup efforts now underway.

On Monday, the Village Board held a public hearing attended by about 12 people over the future of the property owned by dentist Dr. Wayne Chanler. Mayor Brian Schenk said the public hearing was necessary to move forward on applying for state funds to rebuild. The village is applying for funds through the Office of Community Renewal, which administers the state's Community Development Block Grant program. Insurance covered the demolition, Schenk said.

To be eligible for the Block Grant funds, the use of the new building would have to match its previous use. "The use of the building cannot change," said Schenk. In this case, that would mean housing units for medium-to-low income and the commercial spaces.

The next step involves the village producing a rendering of the new building's design and basic floor plan, and coming up with a cost estimate.

The fire displaced seven people who lived in the three-unit apartment building, as well as two businesses that had rented space there. The fire was believed to have started with a smoldering cigarette on an upper deck. Everyone got out safely. An account was set up at Community Bank in Naples to help the three families who had lived in the apartments.

After the demolition the area was fenced off for cleanup of debris. The area will be leveled off and covered with gravel for the time being.

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