OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) -
The City of Owensboro expects the National Guard to move to the new airport location this summer, and that leaves the current armory's future up in the air.
After nearly 65 years, the Owensboro National Guard is moving from its current armory near Moreland Park to its new location at the airport. The question now is: what to do with the current building? Should it stay or should it go?
"They're building a new one for a reason because this one's not serving its purpose. So why keep it around if it's not going to serve a purpose," said resident Chris Watson.
The City of Owensboro wants the public's help on deciding what to do with the armory. That's why requests for proposals have been sent out.
"Folks have floated ideas about an apartment complex, about a tennis facility," said City Manager Bill Parrish.
City leaders tell 14 News they want more than just ideas, they want plans.
"This might be the cost and we have a financing package to make that happen," said Parrish. "We think it's in the interest of the city for the city to pay for it."
"I think it's a great location. It's completely accessible. It's kind of right in the middle of town. That's what you need for a skatepark. A big open space," said Watson.
With the Sportscenter and Ice Arena right next door, Watson said, "It'd be kind of putting more than one attraction in one place."
In the past, Mayor Ron Payne has said the city will look at the Moreland Park area for a possible new location for a skatepark. The RFP's are due by the first week of June.
Watson says his skateboarding group will likely submit a proposal.
City leaders will weigh their options at June 12's work session.
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