“This is clearly a setback and our hearts are broken about it,” she said. The project has been in the works since 2019 and families were set to move in.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The frame of the $60 million RISE Doro apartment building will have to be demolished after a massive fire that began Sunday night and was still smoking Monday evening, according to Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. The building remains at risk of collapse.
The project, part of an initiative to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville, has been in the works since 2019. Eight residents were set to move in this weekend.
Deegan, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers and RISE president Greg Blaise held a press conference Monday evening to provide an update on the fire.
“This is clearly a setback and our hearts are broken about it,” Deegan said. “But it’s not gonna stop our forward momentum Downtown.”
Blaise said that RISE remains committed to the Downtown project and they “absolutely” want to rebuild.
Firefighters to stay overnight
JFRD will stay on scene throughout Monday night, Powers said.
Hot spots continued to flare up throughout the day, because crews cannot fight the fire from inside due to lack of structural integrity.
Four ladders will stay at the building at all four corners. The hoses will stay off until there is a flare up and then JFRD will spray water.
Powers said that JFRD does not want to continuously spray water because they are concerned about runoff going into the St. Johns River.
JFRD will either stay until they feel the building is completely safe or until the demolition starts.
