Keota set to rebuild downtown after fire

Keota business owner Bill Miller wants to see the town rebound after fire destroyed much of the downtown area last December.

Miller, 46, owned six of the eight business lots that were completely demolished and removed in the months after the fire, which the state fire marshals office said was started by arson.

"It's time to dress up main street and get things going," Miller said.  "Everyone in town supports that."

In February, Miller will break ground on a new building in the fire-damaged downtown area.   The building will include two new store fronts, which Miller hopes will attract small business owners.

"If somebody wants to take a chance, start their own business, some other business wants to expand to Keota," Miller said of his hopes to rent out the space.  "In the back there will be storage for people to store campers, boats, and cars."

City council member Keith Conrad said he has also heard of plans to bring a mechanical shop to the area.

"In my opinion, now is the best time for business," Conrad said.  "It's extremely important for business to come back. You bring them back or downtown dies."

In July, the fire marshal reopened the case after new information surfaced about who may have intentionally started the fire.  Ron Humphrey of the state fire marshal's office said the case remains open.