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Greenbelt council authorizes application for DHCD demolition grant for Armory; approves demolition of main armory building
Summary
Council authorized staff to apply for a DHCD strategic demolition grant to remove the structurally deficient main Greenbelt Armory building and an adjacent modular structure and approved pursuit of demolition funding; council voted 5–1 after public comment urging preservation.
The Greenbelt City Council authorized the city manager to apply for a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) strategic demolition grant and approved proceeding with demolition of the main Armory building and an adjacent modular structure, excluding the garages.
City manager Somerone described the Armory’s existing-conditions analysis, noting structural, environmental and mechanical deficiencies that must be addressed for the building to be returned to use. He said the city anticipates a multi-year effort to secure grant funding and that the DHCD program is competitive.
Resident Frank Gervasi, who led an earlier petition to consider reusing the Armory, urged the council not to demolish the building without a redevelopment plan, calling the Armory “a beautiful building” that he believed was repairable: “I think it's structurally, you know, sure it needs work, but you know what? I think it's real fixable,” he said.
Council members acknowledged Gervasi’s concerns but said the demolition funding application was time sensitive. Mayor Pro Tem moved the authorization, and the motion passed with a recorded outcome of 5–1 in favor of pursuing grant funds and demolition of the two structures noted in staff materials.
Next steps: staff will submit the DHCD demolition grant application, continue development of longer-range reuse plans for the site, and return to council with updates on grant outcomes and redevelopment options.
