Bootheel cities could get ownership of Guard armories

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri National Guard armories in Bernie, Caruthersville and Dexter could soon be converted into community centers and public meeting halls under legislation the Senate approved on Wednesday.

The bill, a version of which the House of Representatives has already passed, would transfer ownership of the armories from the state to the city in which each is located at no cost.

The Bernie and Caruthersville armories closed several months ago because they no longer supported enough soldiers to remain viable. Affected personnel were transferred to units in neighboring communities.

Officials in both cities have said neither town has an adequate community center and the armories would fill that need.

The Dexter armory is still in use but a replacement facility is slated to be built near the city's airport. Mayor Joe Weber said the building should be completed sometime in 2004.

Weber said the old armory could be converted to house recreational sports leagues and other uses but that no firm decision has been made on what, if anything, the city would do with the facility. However, Weber said the city definitely wants the option of obtaining the property.

"We've got to decide at the local level whether we can make it work and whether we can afford it," Weber said.

Although it would get the armory for free, the city would incur costs for maintaining the facility.

If the House accepts the largely technical changes made by the Senate, a final vote by the lower chamber would send the bill to Gov. Bob Holden for his consideration. State Sen. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, said the governor has indicated he will sign the measure.

The bill is HB 1613.

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