NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Metro workers met with business owners and residents on Sunday morning to discuss the timetable to allow them to return to Second Avenue N.
More than 41 buildings near Second Avenue N. were damaged. Much of the area has been closed while the investigation continues and residents and business owners have yet to return.
There are 250 FBI agents in Nashville searching the rubble for evidence of the explosion.
At a press conference on Monday night, MNPD deputy chief Chris Taylor explained the timetable for reopening the area.
Watch the press conference below:
As soon as the FBI clears an area, which means it has been removed from the agency’s active investigation, public works and structural engineers will inspect the building.
Public works will remove debris and put up fences to restrict movement for security purposes, so Metro codes will inspect the area with engineers who will determine if a building is safe enough to walk.
After this stage, the area is handed over to the Fire Department and Police, which will accompany the businessmen and residents.
There will be a six-hour window for a group of about 20 businessmen, residents and landowners to inspect the area on Tuesday. Those who can return have already been warned.
Metro police said it could take another seven days for the area to reopen for business owners and residents. They will be contacted individually for information on when they can return to the area.
FBI victim services will provide counseling, relocation assistance and help with paperwork to make a claim for restitution to those affected by the explosion.
Taylor said the photos do not fully show the extent of the damage.
“Even if you’ve seen it in photos and on a drone, it’s not possible because it’s hard to see that it happened in Nashville,” said Taylor. “It’s very disheartening, it hurts a lot to see it in your own city, especially in the middle of everything as it is.”