VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A major effort to rebuild businesses from the ground up is underway at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
"I was on a boat out on the water and you could see it we were way out there, we could see the black smoke billowing everywhere," said Virginia Beach resident Jamie Cobb.
That summer night, things were uncertain. However, the hope to rebuild never faded.
New life is soon coming to the stretch of the Oceanfront impacted by the fire.
Crews are making progress on rebuilding, where passersby are seeing steel framing and some sheathing go up. Within the next couple of weeks, other materials like brick, glass windows and glass doors are expected to be installed.
Matthew Vakos, the CEO of Vakos Development Company, describes the property as a local staple.
"It's been here quite a while and it's been in our family for a couple of generations. Hope to continue it and have it move forward," said Vakos.
Last summer's fire destroyed three businesses: the King of the Sea restaurant, the T-shirt Factory and the Maple Tree Pancake & Waffle House.
Vakos said T-shirt Factory is the sole tenant returning. They're expected to take up three of the five new units.
"A new restaurant is going in where the seafood restaurant was, and we're currently looking for a good operator for the breakfast restaurant," said Vakos.
Cobb said she's excited for the boost the finished product will bring to the area.
"Especially during peak tourist season, a lot of the businesses around here, they were already impacted by COVID. So, for that to happen, they can't really catch a break," she added.
"We'd really like to lessen the impact on the summer season and try to get as functional as we can as fast as we can," said Vakos.
He projects the T-shirt Factory will be the first business to open, sometime hopefully in July.
"It's been a good effort, everybody coming together and trying to make it happen even in the face of tragedy," said Vakos.
Crews should also be installing the roof soon.
Virginia Beach firefighters said a fire began in the void space between the roof and the building. Officials ruled it as an accident.