Plans for new armory move forward with securing of funds
WAYNESBURG – Plans for a new armory for the Army National Guard unit stationed in the Greene County seat advanced Tuesday, after an announcement that almost $500,000 has been earmarked for planning and design of a new readiness center. The military appropriations bill for fiscal 2004, which recently passed the House Appropriations Committee, contains $480,000 for the first phase of a new single-unit armory readiness center, according to U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown).
Debbie Tekavec, Murtha’s legislative director, said the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Company C, First Battalion, Mechanized 110th Infantry has outgrown its current facility and will receive modern training and support facilities for its soldiers and personnel when the new building is completed.
“This initial funding is for planning and design, but the next question seems to be where this new armory will be,” she said.
Tekavec said a site in Franklin Township was discussed in April, but no decisions have been made about the armory’s future location. The armory might be located on a portion of property in the township that has been planned for a retail development that will include a Wal-Mart Supercenter.
While the $480,000 will be used for the first phase of the project, she said Murtha will work to ensure that funds are available for the rest of the work.
“Everything depends on the design and planning process,” Tekavec said. “I know the congressman and the National Guard want to do this as soon as possible because it is a readiness issue.”
Murtha said the current armory is undersized and has no room for expansion, and he said he worked to secure funding for planning and design “in response to state and local leaders’ priorities.”
“The unit’s ability to meet readiness, recruiting and training objectives will be aided by upgrading and expanding this facility, especially with regard to security requirements,” he said. “There are currently 223,000 reserve personnel on active duty, and to be ready, they need the most modern training facilities.”
The new site will replace Company C’s current location on Washington Street in Waynesburg Borough. Greene County Commission Chairman Dave Coder said the planning process is in its early stages, and he said he has met with representatives from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Harrisburg at Murtha’s request.
“The folks from the National Guard have been down and are looking at a couple of sites by the airport,” Coder said. “I’m glad to see that Congressman Murtha has secured funding for the first phase.”
Coder said Murtha has been involved in finding a new home for Company C since February. He said because of space limitations at the current site, the unit’s proposed relocation is a “good move.”
Murtha said the project will advance the nation’s homeland security objectives by “significantly improving training capabilities.”
“It will also have a positive impact on the quality of life for those reservists, which affects morale,” he said.