Plans are underway for a $25 million Duluth Armory Renovation near Lake Superior, which is intended to restore the historic century-old structure into a cultural arts center and event venue, befitting of its past accomplishments. This building in past years was used as a military training base for several wars and also served as the city’s first event center.
Development plans for the 100,000-plus square foot Duluth Armory Renovation project will cover the restoration of a theater stage and event venue, along with an added military “hall of heroes” and Bob Dylan exhibit, and an after school music education program. The building will also feature several upgraded amenities which include a food hall and brew pub; a large-scale community kitchen; and available room for local small businesses and artists.
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$5 Million raised so far for the Duluth Armory Renovation project
The Duluth Armory Renovation project has been in the works for several years and the owner, The Armory Arts and Music Center, has been looking into restoring the historic building, since the time of its acquisition in 2003. The Non-profit Armory Arts was able to raise up to $5 million towards this goal and also listed the historic building on the National Register of Historic Places. A partnership was also formed recently between Armory Arts and George Sherman of Minneapolis-based Sherman Associates to carry out this project.
Sherman admitted that years ago, he once believed that the century old dilapidated building was irredeemable, but now the Duluth Armory Renovation project was able to move forward thanks to preservation efforts of the arts and music center and other volunteers. The Armory Arts and Music Center has also requested $7.5 million of the state’s funds to help cover design and construction costs.
Sherman noted that the $7.5 million was a key driver of the Duluth Armory Renovation project and he said if the required funding is provided by the state, the project could be finished within the next 30 months and hopefully have its grand opening by May 2024. He also pointed out that Sherman Associates had been awarded a similar amount by the state for the $31 million restoration of Duluth’s NorShor Theater, which was completed in 2017. Sherman was hopeful that they would also be successful in landing a similar deal for this project as well.
