CANTON, Ill. (WMBD) -- In memory of the Canton Opera House, which exploded in 2016, a new Opera House Plaza is opening its doors in the same place it stood almost ten years ago.

"We are having the grand opening of the Opera House Plaza. A ribbon cutting for the grand opening of a place that's been blighted for many years," said Carla Bobell, executive director for the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce

"In 2016, we had a gas explosion that blew up a little piece of building that was behind the opera house, but went through the opera house and damaged many of the businesses downtown."

The explosion killed one person, and at Friday's grand opening, they will receive a plaque honoring the man who lost their life. A plaque towards the city's bicentennial will also be dedicated at tonight's eve

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