Future of former Armory still up in air

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

As the Kansas National Guard Armory sits empty after a statewide consolidation effort, many are left wondering what will happen to the building.

In a letter to Fort Scott Mayor Gary Bukowski, the Kansas Adjutant General's Department stated that the property, located at 2301 S. Horton St., will return to the City of Fort Scott.

"Following a final clean-up of the facility we will return the Fort Scott Armory to the City in its present condition," Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting said in the letter.

The Kansas National Guard Armory, located at 2301 S. Horton St., is currently sitting vacant and will soon be under the ownership of the City of Fort Scott. The future use of the building is still undetermined. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

Before the city retains ownership of the facility, a final inspection will be performed by both the city and the KAGD. According to Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner, the target date for the final inspection is Feb. 28.

According to Turner, the future of the building is not yet known. He said the Fort Scott Police Department is interested in expanding into the facility and he has also heard suggestions to move City Hall to the vacant building. In addition, he said other people have shown interest in the building.

"There is some interest in it," Turner said.

Turner recommends the Fort Scott City Commission hold public meetings to hear comments and suggestions from the community. The commission would use the public meetings to determine the best use of the facility.

The National Guard Armory was one of 18 National Guard armories statewide that were closed early this year due to state budget cuts. The decision, announced Dec. 11, 2009, to close the facilities and consolidate operations into 38 existing locations resulted from state budget cuts announced in the governor's budget reduction package on Nov. 23, and is necessary for long-term sustainment of armory operations, Bunting said in a statement.

Closing of the 18 armories will eliminate $156,662 from the current fiscal year's operating budgets to meet state requirements and addresses additional cuts for next year's budget for a total of $264,217 for fiscal year 2011. Significant additional savings beyond the $420,000 will result from consolidating operations and no longer maintaining or inspecting the facilities.

In the past, maintenance has been deferred and later made up with millions of dollars in bonds, the statement from Bunting's office said.