There is progress nearly two years ago after a fire in Ocean Grove reduced a half-block of its downtown to rubble.

Construction is finally beginning to take shape, and a three-story building is now going up.

"When the fire happened, we were all here. We were watching it. It was kind of a scary thing," says builder Jack Green.



The flames destroyed four stores and seven apartments on Main Avenue in the winter of 2015, leaving a gap in Ocean Grove's downtown.



"I think it's going to bring the community back as one. It won't have like a hole in the middle of town with everyone just shaking their heads wondering," says Green.



There's classroom space in the basement and four storefronts, and among them will be a restaurant. The owner of OG Surf and Skate across the street says it will give a much-needed boost to foot traffic.



"It will definitely help ... we don't really have a lot of restaurants so another option will be great," says Scordato.



The builder says work should be complete by March, months before the summer season.

Unlike the old building, the new one will be up to code, complete with an elevator.