Editor:
While the recent Arcata fire that destroyed a half block of buildings, businesses, apartments and studios is a terrible disaster, it also has presented an opportunity for the future. As I walked about the rubble, I’m imagining a rebuilding response in downtown Arcata that would create attractive new business spaces and more housing for residents within walking distance to everything needed nearby.
What if all the property owners involved (or perhaps a new single owner or government agency) fully committed to building a single building and landscaping that covered the entire downtown half block? The first floor could contain multiple businesses and the second, third, fourth? floors could be a mix of much needed downtown senior housing, some affordable housing apartments and other rental units that, combined with business leases, would create an attractive “return on investment” for the owners.
I imagine a new “smart” building designed with best “sustainability” practices to reduce total building operating CO2 emissions with the roof and external walls covered with solar panels. Inside, a “greenhouse” covered atrium or central court would give access to people out of the rain to the first-floor businesses and give residents and others a social place to enjoy benches and tables.
First, many steps remain ahead to plan for and remove hazardous waste for proper removal and disposal at approved sites. Next, let’s all pitch in with creative ideas for the future of this site. I may not live long enough to see what will happen, but I believe Arcata residents and city leadership will find an innovative and sustainable replacement for what burned on Jan. 2.
For more ideas, a friend recently posted a series of new and updated resources to support policymakers, planners and designers in decarbonizomg the built environment to meet our climate change challenges: architecture2030.org/architecture-2030-and-climate-positive-design-introduce-new-resources-for-decarbonizing-the-built-environment/.
Mark Larson, Arcata
This article appears in Health and Wellness 2026.