Eagles' nest reopens Eagles' nest reopens (March 12, 2004)

Castro Street meeting hall renovated after devastating fire

By Dan Stapleton

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Mountain View meeting hall of the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 181 Castro St. reopened its doors at noon on Feb. 28.

The Eagles call their meeting halls aeries, which is the name for an eagle's nest. This particular aerie, number 2356, had been closed for 14 months for renovation after being severely damaged in an August 25, 2002 fire. The fire is believed to have started when a sports sign fell on a vinyl-covered barstool.

The Eagles, who have occupied the building for more than 60 years, spent around $200,000 on the restoration. "What we did was we went through and redesigned the whole thing. We went through everything, basically because of code," said Eagles spokesperson Rob Buchanan.

He added that the façade, kitchen, and meeting area had been entirely redone. "It's a really nice place for our members," Buchanan said.

The Mountain View Aerie has around 500 members, men and women, who meet twice a month. The group donates thousands of dollars annually to charities like the Jimmy Durante Children's Fund and the Max Bear Heart Fund.

E-mail Dan Stapleton at dstapleton@mv-voice.com

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