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Smithfield Council questions improvements to Armory By
Kelsie Clark SMITHFIELD -- While discussing the construction options of an energy-saving project on the Armory at last night's City Council meeting, the subject turned unexpectedly to the building itself -- its purpose, and whether it's even worth the money the improvements would cost. City Manager Jim Gass said the Armory's heat bill costs the city from $2,000 to $3,000 in an average winter month. A mechanical engineer inspected the building and recommended new windows as the first step to lowering the bill. Gass said the project would cost between $5,000 and $7,000, and would only be the first in many such projects to reduce the building's energy-use problems. The city purchased the Armory nearly three years ago, with several ideas for its use, but so far nothing has been decided and the building's future is unclear. Currently, Gass said, aside from a few city recreational basketball teams the building remains largely unused. As more and more money was talked about being poured into these Armory projects, council members seemed to become more uncomfortable with the idea. "My problem is, I just want to know what we're going to do with it before we put a lot of money into it," said Councilman Keith Fortie. Councilwoman Kris Monson said she agreed with Fortie. She said if they know what they're putting the money toward, even if it's years down the road, it's still easier than not knowing what it will be used for at all. The council brought up many ideas that had at one time been considered for the building, such as a dance center, a library, and the site for new city offices. Bringing in a retail business was also an option. In some of these cases, the existing Armory would be leveled and a new building would be constructed in its place. Fortie explained that the possibility of the Armory being leveled in the near future was the reason he had difficulty putting so much money toward its upgrade. Mayor Winn said he "just had a feeling" the building would remain standing, and urged the council to approve the window project, but they remained hesitant. Councilwoman Janice Mikkelson suggested holding a workshop for the council at the Armory, where they could look around and then discuss from there what should be done with the building. Winn OK'd the idea, and also assigned each council member to return at the next meeting, which will be held Oct. 5, with an idea on what to do with the Armory. The discussion will continue then, and for now the windows project is postponed.
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