Alderman: Vacant Rockford armory building hurts neighborhood, city

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – A Rockford alderman hopes someone will redevelop one of the city’s vacant national landmarks.

“It’s getting more damaged,” said 11th Ward Ald. Isidro Barrios of the Illinois National Guard Armory Building at 605 N. Main St.

Barrios said the 70,000 square-foot building is becoming an eyesore, bringing down property values while the city pushes to improve the area. He says the longer the armory sits exposed to the elements, the harder it will be to redevelop.

Completed in 1937, the building has been vacant since the late 1990s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 .

“It’s a well-built building,” Barrios said. “But right now, nobody is taking advantage of that space.”

Barrios and his colleagues on the Code and Regulation Committee voted this week to list the city-owned property for sale. There’s no sales price yet. The matter must first be approved by the full city council.

“We’ll talk to the city council members to see if we can do something about it,” he said. “Because right now, it’s not moving nowhere.”

In addition to the home of the Illinois National Guard, Rockford residents remember the armory as a meeting place for the community.

“I remember the armory when I was younger,” said David Ruffin. “After the Fourth of July parade or the Memorial Day parade, we would all meet down here after the parade was over and it would be filled with all the different groups. It was kind of interesting, kind of fun.”

The art deco venue was also a spot for young people to let loose and have fun.

“We used to come here in the ‘70s when I was a teenager and see concerts,” said Elizabeth Vogeler. “It was really fun, and a good place to hang out when you’re a kid.”

Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Rush and Kiss are among the acts that have played the old Rockford armory.

The sale of the building is expected to be discussed by the full city council on Monday, July 22.

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