Safety concerns highlighted amid downtown revitalization efforts
Just after 7 p.m. June 6, the Beaumont Fire Department responded to 328 Bowie Street to find the historic and longtime unoccupied downtown Gilbert Building ablaze. The two-alarm fire was the third simultaneous blaze the fire department was battling at the same time in close proximity.
Firefighters began inside and quickly retreated to a defensive attack from outside the more than century-old building due to safety concerns, according to Beaumont Fire Chief Earl White. Nearby, dozens of homes and businesses were evacuated until the flames could be controlled and the area secured. By 6:30 a.m. the following morning, the last firefighter left the scene, but crews continued ongoing monitoring.
As of press time, several nearby streets remained barricaded because, White said, there is an immediate concern for the safety of the structure, and that Beaumont Fire Department will be working directly with the building’s owner to determine a course of action.
“We were concerned about the safety of the Gilbert Building before the fire and we are increasingly concerned about the integrity of the structure now,” said White. “We were going through all of the downtown buildings before the fire, making inspections and planning to work with owners.”
According to Beaumont Mayor Roy West, the Gilbert Building was deemed unsafe and listed as an imminent danger in March, forcing the city to create a work program with the building’s owner Tom Flanagan to make several repairs. City of Beaumont data released in the aftermath of the fire also revealed that the Gilbert Building was cited during an inspection in April, and owner Flanagan assured the city that repairs would begin within 30 days. When the deadline for repairs came and went in mid-May, the city was forced to move forward with the process of hiring a contractor to secure the building – at the expense of the city; the intent, as reported by the city, was/is to seek reimbursement from Flanagan.
“The city has to step in to secure buildings that are considered dangerous if the owners don’t comply, for the safety of our citizens,” the city announcement detailed.
As further alleged by staff in the official announcement, the Gilbert Building was one of 20 downtown buildings receiving citations in late April.
Sources tell The Examiner that several of Flanagan’s properties have been the topic of concern for a while, and are in a state of disrepair. And, while Beaumont’s face of the future has been focused on revitalizing downtown and encouraging economic growth, a recent push to enforce codes and regulations has been at the forefront of discussion.
“This catastrophic event serves as a wake-up call – a poignant reminder that, unless stringent enforcement of ordinances and codes is implemented, we risk further irreparable losses to our once vibrant downtown,” said Tom Bell with Beaumont Main Street, a national Main Street city and Texas Main Street Program. He added that the loss of the Gilbert Building is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglect. Ultimately, Bell held the city responsible: “We demand accountability from our city government.”
The Gilbert Building sits within Ward 3, represented by longtime councilman Audwin Samuel, who told The Examiner that city council has been “making adjustments and looking at strengthening codes and the enforcement of codes to address some of the issues down- town.” Samuel acknowledged that the Gilbert Building will be set on a plan of action depending on the determination of its integrity following a city fire department investigation; however, he said, specifics of said plans are handled on a case-by-case basis with city administrators.
Although White said the cause of the fire was still unknown as of press time, Flanagan claimed significant damage from individuals breaking into this and other nearby properties may have caused the blaze.
The Jefferson County Historical Commission expressed sadness in the loss of the historic building, erected by John Gilbert in 1903, while offering gratitude to Beaumont firefighters and first responders that protect people and property locally.
“The loss of the building is particularly disappointing given the recent redevelopment efforts in the area, as well as the recently developed Downtown Beaumont Vision 2035 Plan, a plan to set the course for a completely revitalized Downtown Beaumont,” said Assistant City Manager Chris Boone.