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Pocomoke City council votes to demolish old armory, directs preservation of select bricks for veterans memorial
Summary
Pocomoke City council voted to award a demolition contract for the former National Armory and directed staff to attempt to preserve architectural elements for a veterans memorial. Council discussion cited a Brownfields study that recommended demolition and multiple bids received for the work.
Pocomoke City council voted Jan. 14 to proceed with demolition of the former National Armory, awarding the project to the bidder recommended by staff and directing efforts to preserve portions of the building for a veterans memorial.
Council members discussed options ranging from rehabilitation to demolition before settling the issue. City staff said three bids were received and recommended the middle-priced bidder, whom staff had used successfully on recent city projects. The city described the structure as dilapidated and cited an earlier Brownfields study that, according to staff, estimated rehabilitation costs in the millions and recommended demolition.
The council discussion emphasized safety, cost and speed. City staff said the bidder recommended had previously completed demolition and related work in the city in a short time frame and had submitted required paperwork to state environmental regulators in prior projects. Council members asked that the Maryland emblem and an appropriate amount of original block and brick be salvaged if demolition proceeds, and staff said they would pursue that when feasible.
A motion to proceed with demolition using the recommended bid was made and seconded and carried on a voice vote. One council member stated they were abstaining because of a stated unrelated relationship; the meeting record notes that abstention.
The contract award language presented to council specified that, once awarded, the contractor would assume responsibility for required paperwork and site remediation under the contract terms. Staff described the recommended contract as designed to limit the city’s post-award responsibilities.
The council’s action authorizes demolition work to move forward; staff will return with project scheduling and preservation plans for salvaged masonry elements and with contract documents for execution.
Ending: The council did not set a demolition start date at the meeting; staff said scheduling and regulatory clearances would be arranged with the contractor and reported back to council.
