Council tables action on Armory demolition

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
3-17-21
Just over six months ago, the Benson City Council voted unanimously to move ahead with the demolition of the 1927 Armory building. But since then, the process toward its removal has progressed slowly.
Monday night the council was scheduled to discuss the bids it has received for taking the Armory down and take a tour of it for one last assessment of its viability.
However, at the start of the meeting, Mayor Terri Council announced that there would be no tour due to the now hazardous condition of the floors in the building. Asbestos tiling was recently removed leaving numerous exposed nails sticking up that could go through a shoe.
When it came time to discuss the bids, Collins asked that the council consider tabling action on the bids until the April 5 meeting. That would give the council time to make sure that all members “are all on the same page” when it comes to taking down the building, she said. It would also give members time to consider if there are any potential uses for which the building should be preserved.