Tag Archives: McMenamin’s

Armory in the News

Members of the armory advisory subcommittee of the East End Neighborhood Association sneak a peek inside the old armory, which has been sitting vacant for decades. The city sold the armory to a private California developer, who replaced the windows and painted the exterior. The committee was formed to help the city come up with ideas for the historic building, and the committee would like to work with the developer as well.

Photo credit: Katherine Jones, Idaho Statesman

Nice interview by the Statesman’s Maria La Ganga, with photos and video by Katherine Jones. The Idaho National Guard Armory is part of Boise’s history and a strategic location for a mixed-use development. Its 14,400 square foot drill hall would be ideal for a branch library, craft brewery, farmers market, or other use. With a total of 40,000 square feet and five acres at the base of Boise’s Military Reserve trails complex, the site is ripe for a mix of retail, commercial, residential and public use. Conversations with the Idaho National Guard have also indicate a willingness to provide interpretive materials documenting the Guard’s history in the Armory.

Several of us have been intimately involved with this architectural icon since the East End Neighborhood Association formed the Armory Subcommittee in 2007. Our primary goal was to preserve the building and its historic features. While the California owners have done great work stabilizing the structure and installing landscaping and flood control, it has remained vacant over the past six years, despite many local business owners hoping to strike a deal and our many offers to help market the property and locate ideal tenants.

The right mix of interest and vision can transform the Armory into a neighborhood activity center and asset.

Please note: It was the Statesman’s choice to contrast the Armory property with the Block 75 parcel with a focus on housing. The Armory subcommittee members—each invited in 2007 to represent various skill sets and perspectives—have always sought to accurately reflect the views expressed by neighbors during two well-attended community visioning sessions in December, 2007, first in Old Boise with a follow-up meeting at Roosevelt Elementary School, as well as comments received over the past decade (see more on this here). These views have consistently supported a mixed-use development that provides a range of services and amenities to the surrounding neighborhoods, including medium-density, mixed-income housing that complements the Armory and surrounding neighborhoods.

We realize not everyone wants the same things, but we’ve attempted to faithfully represent the views respectfully expressed throughout these information-gathering sessions.

https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/article217603010.html

Portland’s Armory Repurposed as Gerding Theater

Thanks to sharp-eyed preservationist  and planner John Bertram for sharing information on Portland’s own historic Armory, which he says enjoys wide support and visibility.

John was visiting Portland recently and says he…

“…discovered the Portland Armory behind Powell’s Books on Davis and 10th Ave. It was built in 1891 and placed on the NR [National Register] in 2000.  A developer purchased it in 1999 as part of the Brewery Blocks package and sold it to the Portland Dev. Corporation (urban renewal agency) in 2003.  Funds were raised along with New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) and  historic tax credits to restore the exterior and build a new structure within the interior.

Renamed the Gerding Theater at the Armory, it now houses Portland Center Stage (non profit), with two theaters, a café, offices, and support space. The Armory is open to the public, reimagined and renovated on four pillars: history, theater, sustainability, and community.”

See John’s photos below:

PA large theater Port Armory blt 1891 Port Armory entrance Port Armory lobby 1 Port Armory Lobby 2 Port Armory plaque

Bozeman Armory Repurposed as Boutique Hotel

One of our committee members forwarded this link to Bozeman’s ETHA Hotel, which will make use of their former National Guard Armory building. A mix of new construction and restoration, this is an interesting re-use option.

Copyright: Eclipse Engineering

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