The rebuilding process has begun for the Royal Oaks Mobile Manor community, a manufactured home park that was destroyed in the 2020 Almeda Fire.
Thursday afternoon, a groundbreaking and shovel ceremony took place along South Pacific Highway in Medford. State, county and city officials joined community members in celebrating the first steps towards rebuilding.
"To have this place where piles of dirt are moving, where we have modular homes that are in the community waiting to go on their pad, it’s almost like you can taste it, “said Caleb Yant, deputy director of Oregon Housing and Community Services. “It’s getting close.” Royal Oaks, an affordable housing development, is expected to open in the second half of 2023. The community will provide homeownership opportunities for people who were impacted by the Almeda and South Obenchain fires.