Working for new armory

The federal government hasn't allocated money for construction yet.
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania National Guard has moved a step closer to getting a new armory in the city.
U.S Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, said the House has approved a $485,000 design grant for the Mercer County Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Readiness Center as part of the Military Construction Appropriations Act of 2004.
It took four years of working with local officials and federal appropriators to get the armory included in the legislation, English said.
The bill now goes to a House/Senate conference committee for approval.
The project is the National Guard's top armory priority for 2005, he said.
A potential site has already been selected.
Land rezoned
Hermitage City Commissioners rezoned 5.7 acres of land on the southwest corner of U.S. Route 62 and Darby Road earlier this year from single-family to residential high-density development district to help provide a site.
Armories are funded 25 percent by the state and 75 percent by the federal government.
The state has already earmarked $1.9 million for construction and land acquisition, English said.
The total project cost is estimated at $5,654,700.
A National Guard spokesman said the plan is to push for the full federal funding in 2005.
The 107th Field Artillery Unit stationed at the current armory on North Hermitage Road is in Iraq serving as military policemen.
The city has expressed interest in buying the armory, which is adjacent to the municipal building. The facility could become part of a push for recreational improvements in the city.