Whiskey Jacques' is one step closer to reappearing on Main Street after the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission approved the first part of a phased design-review process.
At a special meeting on Monday, architect Mark Klingerman presented the commission with plans for the new two-story building, which would include a deck on the top floor.
This latter feature, along with an upstairs bar and function room, is the biggest change from the original Whiskey Jacques', which burned down Sept. 15 after a fire started in the neighboring former Dirty Little Roddy's bar.
The P&Z approved the footprint of the building and the overall size, meaning that Whiskey Jacques' owner Karen Martin is now free to begin laying a concrete foundation
However, there are a number of outstanding issues that must be resolved before the actual building can be constructed.
The most important, in terms of design, is satisfying the commission's desire for some sort of protection from the elements above the entranceway. That could come in the form of an awning or even the extension of the deck, so that instead of ending flush against the building, it would hang approximately six feet over the sidewalk.
Klingerman said a larger deck was actually the preferred design and that he would look into submitting such a plan at the next phase of the application process.
Splitting the design review into two parts will allow Martin to pour a concrete foundation before the onset of winter.
"We want to start construction, like, yesterday," Klingerman said, adding that work on the foundation could start as early as next week.
However, Martin said she's still waiting to receive the insurance money for the damages and to hear about a small-business loan application.
"I'm not as prepared as I'd like to be," Martin said, but reiterated that she's trying to bring Whiskey Jacques' back as soon as possible.
In doing so, Martin hopes to resurrect the popular Ketchum watering hole in much the same form as its predecessor, with a bar on each side of the ground level, and stage and dance floor in the middle. As well, the outside façade would be the familiar, horizontal, dark-wood paneling with two large windows just to the left of the double front doors.
If all goes to plan, the building would total almost 8,000 square feet over both floors. Because of Martin's current financial restrictions, the second floor only covers approximately two-thirds of the available space, she said. However, she said she could return to the city in the future to expand the second floor.
Fire is now a criminal investigation
Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle said on Monday that the investigation into the cause of the fire that destroyed Whiskey Jacques' and the former Dirty Little Roddy's building has been taken over by the Ketchum Police Department with help from the state forensics lab.
"It's still a fire of suspicious origin and is being investigated as a criminal matter," Elle said.
Elle said materials related to the fire's ignition point have been sent to the lab and are being analyzed. While he said the fire began "on the front" of the former Dirty Little Roddy's building, he did not specify if it began on the interior or exterior of the structure, which was vacant at the time.
"We received numerous pieces of information from the public regarding the possible cause of the fire and continue to investigate these leads," Elle said.
Elle said arson cases are very difficult to solve and tips from the public may be needed to solve this one.
"This makes it a frustrating process," Elle said. "I anticipate that the results from the lab will be a long time coming."
Whiskey Jacques’ owner Karen Martin, right, received a green light from the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday to lay the foundation for a new building. Martin’s plans for the new bar are very similar to its predecessor, but would also include a function room on the second floor, as well as a deck facing Main Street. Express photo by Paulette Phlipot
