Second Avenue nearing end of long recovery

It seems Second Avenue North is on the home stretch of the long recovery following the 2020 Christmas Day bombing, which devastated many of its historic structures.

Every few weeks, there’s an update. In June, the street and sidewalks of the first of three blocks were finished. California burger chain Mel’s Drive-In announced it would open its first location outside the state in the former B.B. King’s space in August. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar joined in later. The building that formerly housed the beloved Old Spaghetti Factory was sold for $17.5 million shortly after, with plans for short-term rental units and space left for retail or a restaurant. By the time this story goes to press, there will likely be more to add to the news — perhaps in the form of developments involving some of the most heavily bomb-damaged buildings or the former Hooters space.