SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Forty-eight hours after a massive fire ripped through historic buildings in downtown Springfield, people are trying to figure out their next steps.

People will see squad cars and a mobile police unit surrounding the 400 block of Adams Street for several days, but the Springfield Police Department said no one should be alarmed. They are making sure no one gets too close to 413 and 415 E. Monroe.

It is too early to know the exact cost of damage, but many of the business owners have been talking with their insurance companies to see how they can help.

O'Shea Builders and Hanson Engineering hope to stabilize the buildings on Tuesday. Mike O'Shea said the stabilization effort itself may take at least a week to complete. However, O'Shea noted it may take longer since engineers don't know the breath and depth of what they have to do with this property.

"If I had to speculate, we're probably near two weeks, could be more, before we actually start to see debris removal and the continuation of the demolition efforts," O'Shea said. "If we continue them prior to that point, we risk collapse of the adjacent structures."

Cost of the damage to the building and properties on either side are unknown at this time. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher is working with Cafe Moxo owner Mark Forinash to try and find them a temporary location. Forinash said that is critical, as his business has been a staple in the downtown community.

"We have had an unbelievable amount of restaurants, catering companies and hotels reach out to us and offer us kitchen space or to turn that existing space into a Cafe Moxo," Forinash said.

City leaders said the weekly farmer's market will go on as planned Saturday morning, but the market will be moved to between 2nd and 3rd streets on Adams to keep everyone safe.

"Supporting our farmers and small businesses is key," said Carlos Ortega, Executive Director of Downtown Springfield Inc. "I think through collaboration and continued development, we can really see the city of Springfield thrive and see the community that we have here."

The Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development is working with the 12 people displaced from nearby apartments as well. 

Buscher told WAND News that she has been in frequent contact with the Pritzker administration since Wednesday. However, she said the city cannot request emergency funding from the state until they know all of the damage to the businesses and apartments.

There will also be an Adams Street bar crawl Saturday hosted by Buzz Bomb, Ad Astra and Bloom. Each of the bars will have buckets for donations to help their neighbors. 

Impacted business owners plan to meet at Ad Astra Monday night to talk about future fundraising efforts with nearby businesses. Some viewers have asked if the city could use TIF money to help with recovery this week.

"We haven't gotten to asking any of those questions yet," Chris Nickell said. "For me, as a building owner, I'm going to rely on my insurance. The help that I hope comes is for the tenants, not for me."

GoFundMes for those Affected by the Fire

Adams Street Fire Damage

Property destroyed by the massive fire at 413 and 415 E. Adams Street in Springfield.

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