ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The air coming out of the former Illinois National Guard Armory makes you hold your breath as you walk nearby. A dank aroma conveys decades of history from this 88-year-old structure.

Since 2006, the city of Rockford has owned the National Register of Historic Places site. In July, city councilors put the Armory on the market.

On Monday, lawmakers unanimously approved the Rockford Area Arts CouncilOffer on the nearly 57,000-square-foot property. Councilman Mark Bonne (D-14) believes the $1,000 purchase couldn’t be a better deal for the city.

“If it weren’t such a risky proposition, we wouldn’t be in this situation,” says Ald. Bonne. “In fact, there have been many other interested parties.”

Those rumored parties included a possible aquarium. However, nothing materialized until the Arts Council’s recent offer.

“I know the thought was, ‘Leave it there. Someday there will be a buyer,’” reflects Councilman Frank Beach (R-10). “If the Art Council wants to accept it, they will have to spend a lot of money.”

The Arts Council sees the Armory as the future center of Rockford culture. Its development plan proposes 26 to 30 affordable studio apartments and additional office space for Rockford Dance Company, Rockford Art Museum and Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

For Ald. Beach, ideas drive neighboring Riverfront Museum Park, “That will bring more people – its more energy – to that area for people to enjoy, whether they’re Rockford residents or tourists coming to town.”

Development depends on a cleaning grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency Funding for “abandoned sites” – that is, properties where redevelopment may be “complicated” due to hazardous substances, pollutants or pollutants – ranges from $500,000 to $4 million.

In its offer to the city, the Arts Council says it will return the Armory if the grant is not awarded. Although Ald. Bonne is not involved in the grant process, relying on developers like Urban Equity Properties and Gorman Company to bring confidence to the project.

“It is another step in what has been a long but constant evolution of the city center,” says Ald. Bonne.

Due to grant requirements, the Arts Council must host a public meeting to receive community feedback. It is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, inside the Nordloff Center (118 N. Main St., Rockford) at noon.

An estimated timeline extending to 2027, covering environmental requirements, will also be discussed. Until the building is restored, the city of Rockford maintains lawn care and snow removal.

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