An opportunity disguised as bad news (12/14/06)

Is it bad news?

Or does it represent an interesting opportunity?

While we were momentarily disappointed to learn that the Indiana National Guard has slated the Portland Armory for closing sometime in the next year and a half, it wasn't long before the possibilities for reuse of the building started to suggest themselves.

It's a well-built and well-maintained structure that's been pretty lightly used over the past 30 years.

Just think of its potential.

Could the armory be re-born as a Jay School Corporation facility, housing an auxiliary gymnasium for the high school in its large all-purpose room and central administration offices in its south wing? A proper basketball floor would need to be installed, but we believe there's adequate space.

Could it be the new home for the city's park and street departments, which are now housed in the old "rec" building on South Wayne Street? The all-purpose room already has a garage-style door on the north side, and it's pretty easy to imagine that space as a service garage for city equipment.

Are there non-profit organizations that could put together a credible plan for programming in that space?

Would it make sense as a "spec" building for new industry? Could it accommodate a distribution business in need of warehouse space?

You get the picture.

Once you start brainstorming on the topic, it's a little hard know when to stop.

One thing we know for certain is that it's time to engage in a community-wide discussion of how best to make use of the opportunity that now presents itself. City, county, and school officials ought to be kicking around ideas as soon as possible.

The fact is, though it looked for a moment like bad news, the community has been given a gift. Let's make the most of it. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]