Indiana National Guard plans upgrades to Bloomington armory

The Indiana National Guard plans to spend millions to modernize and expand its armory in Bloomington.

“The current facilities do not meet the needs of today’s modern force, and it is a priority to upgrade our facilities to today’s standards,” an INNG representative said via email.

The facility was described to be in “poor condition” last summer during a State Budget Committee hearing, where the Adjutant General’s Office requested $8.4 million for the project. The agency did not immediately reply to an email seeking an updated cost estimate.

The Bloomington armory, at 3380 Old Ind. 37 in south Bloomington, was built in 1959. On average, the INNG’s existing facilities are 57 years old.

Many of the facilities “were designed for smaller units with no air conditioning, limited administrative space, restrooms and shower areas,” the agency said.

The Adjutant General’s Office said last summer, “The current facility lacks the appropriate training areas and space, such as, parachute rigging, administration, supply storage, arms vault, kitchen equipment, toilets/showers, physical fitness, locker rooms, privately-owned vehicle parking, military vehicle parking and unheated storage required for its mission.”

The project would include the addition of 4,600 square feet — about 1,600 square feet less than the agency planned last summer — and updates to restrooms, showers and mechanical systems as well as repurposing of existing space.

The INNG representative said via email that the agency is still reviewing project bids and would determine later this summer whether to award the project.

Minutes from the State Budget Committee last August indicate the cost of the project would be shared by the state and federal governments, but the agency did not immediately reply to an email that requested details and a construction timeline.

The planned upgrades are part of a “20-year modernization plan to provide state-of-the-art facilities for soldiers to conduct their daily duties and training,” the INNG representative said.

The Indiana National Guard is comprised of Army National Guard armories and units across the state, training facilities at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Air National Guard wings in Fort Wayne and Terre Haute, and about 14,000 soldiers, airmen, volunteer reservists, state and federal civilian employees and their families.

The governor commands the National Guard at peacetime. The U.S. president can call National Guard members into active federal service during times of national emergency.

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.