One of the most publicly used National Guard armories in the state will be closing for renovations and remodeling.
Construction to the Florida Army National Guard Armory at 4004 Airport Road in Plant City is set to begin in mid-April and is expected to conclude March 2014.
The remodel will include a new lighting system on the drill hall floor, said Army National Guard Capt. Kyle J. Richardson.
“Reworking the lights will make it more rental friendly,” he said.
Other improvements will include a general facelift, including touch-up painting and restructuring of drywall, as well as rewiring the facility to make it more technologically and energy efficient.
The remodel is part of a $15 million annual initiative to modernize and improve energy efficiency in Florida armories.
The improvements also will include minor exterior upgrades, including patching up bricks that have become separated and replacing current windows with more energy efficient ones. According to Richardson, the efforts are to comply with Leadership for Environment and Development standards.
Old, worn metal storage containers in the back of the facility will be removed and replaced with a 10-bay storage facility.
The Plant City Armory has become one of the most widely used armories in the state as a rental space for the public. The armory recently hosted World Wrestling Entertainment affiliate NXT for a professional wrestling event. The armory also has been rented in the past for mystery dinners, quinceaneras and holiday parties.
Built in 1986, the 23,000-square-foot facility is the headquarters for the Florida National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116 Field Artillery unit. Richardson is the administrative and operations officer for that unit, which had guardsmen deployed in February to Qatar for a nine-month mission.
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.