Pocomoke council debates fate of National Guard Armory, delays demolition vote until January

Pocomoke City council members spent extensive time debating whether to allow a state team to inspect the National Guard Armory and possibly provide funds for renovation or to proceed with demolition bids the city already solicited.

The mayor told the council that state representatives contacted him after the demolition bids were issued and asked to inspect the armory and the nearby Washington Inn with an offer to help "revitalize and restore this area." He said he had met with city officers and that the city was awaiting a date for the state's visit.

Some councilmembers urged giving the state an opportunity. The mayor framed that approach as a chance to "allow them to come" and evaluate whether their support would make rehabilitation feasible. Others argued that the property is a long-standing blight and that repeated delays had raised costs and diminished developer interest. One councilmember said, "as much as I hate to say we're gonna knock it down, but we need to knock it down. And that time's now." (quote reported from transcript)

Key practical constraints were raised: the demolition bids are valid for 30 days, and members noted the city has solicited multiple bids in prior years with costs rising each time. Council members referenced prior work including a Brownfield study completed in 2017 and an earlier 2012 survey that put initial renovation estimates at more than $1 million. At least one member suggested that cleared land could be resold to generate tax revenue, citing an approximate resale figure mentioned in discussion of about $175,000.

Rather than make a final decision, the council scheduled a formal vote on the demolition bids for the January meeting and asked staff to include the bids in that meeting packet.