Menu
FSPD, FSCC ... who will get the armory?
The Fort Scott City Commission has a tough decision to make as two local agencies express their interest in the former Kansas National Guard Armory building.
Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro and Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh each made their case in front of the commission Tuesday evening as to why they would be the best fit for the armory, which is now vacant and will be under the city's ownership by the end of the month.
Tatro said FSCC would like to use the building as the FSCC Occupational Center which would house the cosmetology, construction trades, and truck-driving programs. The additional building would also be used to create a student fitness and recreation center.
The armory in its current state is essentially move-in ready, according to Tatro. The only renovation that would need to take place would be in the cosmetology area. He added the cost of renovation would be about $40,000-50,000, which the college already has available.
"We have the monies available right now," Tatro said. "The building as it is designed fits our needs perfectly."
Tatro went on to explain the impact of having the programs in the county, saying that the programs would be able to accommodate 20 full-time students and 10 part-time students. In addition the move would allow FSCC to revitalize a masonry and restoration program which would accommodate another 20 full-time students.
The harsh reality was brought to the commission by Tatro that if the college was unsuccessful in it's attempt to move into the armory, the fate of the construction trades program, now in it's second year, would be very uncertain.
"Without the armory, we may not be able to keep a construction trades program in Bourbon County," Tatro said.
If the move was made a reality, according to Tatro, FSCC would see a domino effect in the operations of the college. He said the move would allow the college to move things around which would make other programs more efficient as also promote student activities on campus.
"Without the space, we're scrambling for space," Tatro said.
As far as a taxpayer impact, Tatro said that FSCC does not see a need to increase the mill levy in the immediate or foreseeable future.
Puterbaugh's presentation began with a virtual tour of the Hawkins Public Safety Facility to demonstrate how much of a space issue really does exist.
The FSPD's plan would renovate the unfinished area of the armory into offices, locker rooms, and interview rooms. It would allow the department to house all of it's evidence and records in one secure location as well as allow the department to store vehicles in a garage which would prolong the life of the vehicles and the equipment in them.
The cost of the renovation would not exceed $350,000, Puterbaugh said. It could be financed through temporary notes over over a 10-year period which would make the city's payment about $45,000 annually.
"It is the most economic solution to an already-identified problem," Puterbaugh said.
Puterbaugh also mentioned that the size of the building would allow the department to remain in that location for many years to come.
"Twenty-five or thirty years down the road, it will still meet our needs," he said.
Commissioner Sam Mason asked both Tatro and Puterbaugh to conduct a survey of the neighbors of the armory to see how they feel about the use of the building, such as any noise generate by police sirens or equipment from the trade programs. Both said they would be happy to get that information.
Mason also asked Puterbaugh if he had spoken to the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office to see if they would be interested in sharing the facility and allow both law enforcement agencies to operate out of the same location. Puterbaugh said that Sheriff Ron Gray did not express interest in the facility. Mason requested that Puterbaugh get the opinion of the Bourbon County Commission on the issue.
A representative from the Crawford County Health Department addressed the commission asking for assistance in the relocation of the Women, Infant, and Children Clinics which have been held inside the armory for more than 20 years.
In efforts to seek public opinion, Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner has scheduled a work session for the commission to be held at 5 p.m. Feb. 23, in the Commissioner's Room at City Hall, 1 E. Third St. The purpose of the work session is to get the commissioners comments on the two proposals as well as explore other options. The public meeting which was scheduled to be held during the March 2 commission meeting has been rescheduled for March 9; the time has not been decided.