One of the community’s longest-running projects achieved notable progress recently - Armory Square’s phase one of restoration began last week.

Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews was mayor when the City purchased the Armory in 1997, and is glad to finally see things move forward. “When I came back to office the first of the year, (the project) was at a standstill again – we decided that we needed to phase (restoration) because if we didn’t, we were in danger of losing grants…and we’re still fighting every day to keep what we have.”

Matthews says the Jubilee and other events aren’t being held on the Armory Lawn this year because the City wasn’t sure what would be construction would be done at the Armory this summer and didn’t want to have to schedule then cancel an event.

According to City Councilman Harley Noland, Phase one – window and door renovation – began last week with work done by McConnelsville’s General Restoration Services and Malta Windows.

The windows are high-efficiency, aluminum-clad, and meet all historic preservation guidelines making historic tax credits from the state and federal government possible in the future.

Contractors are replacing six doors and 114 windows. Noland notes that no local tax money has been used, with phase one funded by the Ohio Department of Energy. Phase two will include a new roof and front steps and lead paint removal.

Bob Newman, a longtime member of the Citizens Armory Preservation Society, hailed the recent progress.

Recently, Armory Square Inc was formed as a 501 c3 non-profit. Tax deductible donations can be made through the Marietta Community Foundation by mailing them, in care of Armory Square, to P.O. Box 77, Marietta Ohio.