THE closed section of Grenville Street is expected to reopen next week after work on the inside of the gutted building that housed Plaster Fun House began on Wednesday.
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The section of the road has been closed since the building went up in flames in February.
Clean-up crews are expected to be on site for at least the next three days as they begin the long task of working through the destroyed building.
City of Ballarat city infrastructure general manager Eric Braslis said the entire building would not need to be demolished.
“Following the fire, the building owners have been actively working with their insurers, structural engineers and a qualified builder to determine the fate of the building,” he said.
“We expect work will commence before the end of this week to secure the facade of the building, with props that may project onto the footpath.
“Once completed, this will allow Grenville Street to be reopened, either at the end of this week or early next week.”
However, the owner of Plaster Fun House Brad Billings told The Courier yesterday workers had been allowed to enter the building from Wednesday and had begun the clean-up task.
Mr Billings is still considering the future of his business at the Grenville Street site, but plans on having pop-up shops at Stockland Wendouree in the near future.
Mr Billings is not the owner of the building, which also housed yoga studio Absolute Yoga.
Mr Braslis said local businesses in the area had been informed of the progress.
“On Monday, council officers hand-delivered letters with an update on the situation with the Plaster Fun House to businesses on Grenville Street,” he said.
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au