Nine Months Since the Fire: An Update

Every three months, we've been providing updates on the state of things at the corner of Haight and Fillmore, site of a devastating fire on September 27th, 2011. Today, your nine month update.

This week we checked in with Jay Lieberman from Meridian Management Group, the company that manages the building at 491-499 Haight. We were hoping Lieberman would provide some good news regarding the timeframe for the building's reconstruction. Alas:

"I think you should count on 24 months before the building is ready to move back into. If it happens sooner it would be a positive. Hopefully it will not take longer but I cannot make that commitment."

It's not immediately clear whether Lieberman means 24 months from the date of the fire or 24 months from now, i.e. September 2013 or June 2014. He also cited no reason for the project's extended timeframe, which just three months ago was estimated to us as "a year to 15 months." We're seeking clarification and will update accordingly. Regardless, UGH. One other note: we've heard some chatter recently about Walgreens. Specifically, that another retailer might be taking its place at 499 Haight Street. The short answer is, we have nothing to report at the moment. A spokesman for that rumored other retailer told us they have nothing to announce about the location, and a spokesman for Walgreens said he would check and get back to us (though he hasn't yet). As Lieberman told us, "until a lease is signed, money received and a store opens, nothing is final." So, as of now, nothing to see here. Finally, as for Three Twins and Estela's, we're told both intend to return to their Fillmore Street locations. We'll catch you in three months for your one-year update -- unless of course some news crops up before then. Let's hope it's good.