It's been more than a month since two walls of 78 Main St. collapsed onto the sidewalk in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 7, leaving dozens homeless and several businesses closed.
Demolition of the building began a few days later, but engineers working for the Town of Penetanguishene and the chief building official were careful to maintain the integrity of what's known as the Beck block. Work has been done since then to shore up the structure.
The next step is to complete the demolition of the collapsed portion.
"The building is going to go through the final demolition phase over the coming days to weeks," said Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson.
Then steps towards getting people and businesses back into the buildings can begin, Rawson said.
"Every building has its own needs and requirements and the building owners will have to work with their insurance, their engineer and our chief building officer to make sure that everything has been done to the building code to bring people back," Rawson said.
The building owners will have to do the work required to obtain occupancy permits. People can move back once the owners get the permits, Rawson said.
The whole process can start in November, said Rawson.
Following the collapse, people from 2 Water St., immediately downhill from the Beck block, were also evacuated.
"Starting from there and going south, people can start coming back when it's been deemed safe and appropriate," Rawson said. "Closer to the collapse, there is more work that will need to be done."
Every resident who was impacted and came forward was provided temporary housing through the County of Simcoe, said Rawson.
"The County of Simcoe has been a tremendous partner. They have been able to work seamlessly with us and their partners to make sure people had the supports that they needed."
Displaced people were given hotel vouchers from the County, through The Guesthouse Shelter. Other agencies, including the Red Cross and the Midland Salvation Army, helped with providing food and clothing for displaced residents.
For business owners on the west side of Main Street that were forced to close, Rawson said he has been working with partners — Community Futures, Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe and the County of Simcoe's Economic Development Office — to come up with a strategy to help those impacted.
"We will encourage those businesses that have been impacted to work with their insurance providers to provide support," he said.
"For the east-side businesses, because the street has been closed, they've been affected. So we're working with those community partners to come up with a Shop Local campaigns, and town signage," Rawson said.
Rawson said the town is also supporting the displaced residents through a fundraiser being held Saturday at the Brian Orser Hall at the Penetanguishene Arena from noon to 4 p.m.
"It's really a community initiative. That just shows the support that's out there and how everyone's doing their part," he said.
Rawson said he's impressed with the level of support from the community as a whole during this crisis.
"There's been a lot of support from a lot of people, organizations and community members. People have come out to help out those who have been displaced," said Rawson.