Rockford looks to sell historic Armory as redevelopment interest renews

July 17, 2024|By Kevin Haas|In Trending, Real estate, Rock River Current, 815 News, Local, Rockford
The city plans to sell the historic former Illinois National Guard Armory, 605 N. Main St., in Rockford. The sale of the building, shown on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, requires City Council approval. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city plans to put the historic former Illinois National Guard Armory up for sale in hopes of finding a buyer who will bring new use to the shuttered Art Deco style building.

The 88-year-old building at 605 N. Main St. served as the headquarters for various Illinois National Guard units until 1993, when the National Guard moved to Machesney Park. The city has owned the property since October 2006, when it was donated to Rockford after a nonprofit’s failed attempt to run a vocational center on site.

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Its next use isn’t determined, but City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said it’s being put up for sale after recent interest in the property.

“We’ve had some recent discussions with individuals who would like to further explore and potentially pursue a redevelopment opportunity,” Cagnoni said.

Various plans have been pitched for the roughly 57,000-square-foot facility, which was built starting in 1936 by Sjostrom & Sons and designed by Bradley & Bradley. For example, the nonprofit Rockford Aquarium group eyed the site more than a dozen years ago as it studied the possibility of bringing an aquarium here.

The Illinois National Guard Armory, 605 N. Main St., Rockford, was built starting in 1936. It has been owned by the city since 2006. The building is shown on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Redeveloping the property may require environmental remediation, including asbestos abatement and potential issues with mold, Cagnoni said.

Selling the building requires City Council Approval. Those plans got a preliminary OK on Monday from the council’s Code & Regulation Committee. It moves to the full council next week.

Cagnoni said he can’t yet disclose who has expressed interest in the property.

“The city’s not going to move forward with a project that’s not an overall benefit to the community as a whole,” Cagnoni said. “Our City Council will remain in control of proposals that may come forward to make sure that they align with the values of the community.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas