KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Army National Guard Armory in Kalamazoo is one of 33 military facilities across the state that’s targeted for some serious modernization.
The nearly 37,165 square foot armory building off of Parkview Avenue is undergoing renovations to better serve Michigan’s women soldiers.
The renovation follows the announcement made by U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan that he secured nearly $26 million for the National Guard Bureau to modernize armories across Michigan. Peters also led a call for the National Guard Bureau to match the $55 million allocated by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the State of Michigan for modernization efforts.
Contractors and construction crews are currently on site making way for new shower and toilet facilities, along with a lactation room for working mothers.
State Representative Julie Rogers and State Senator Sean McCann, both of Kalamazoo, along with other officials toured the facility on Monday to get an up close look at the $5.2 million dollar project.
Commander of the Michigan Army National Guard Brigadier General Lawrence Schloegl said the renovations to accommodate women service members are long overdue seeing as all combat specialties are open to women, a far cry from when he entered the military in 1983.
After the tour, the VIPs broke ground to officially kick off the renovations on the armory which was built in 1977. And since then, the building has primarily been set up for male soldiers.
Rogers, also a member of the Military Veterans and Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives feels that with Michigan getting $26 million in federal funding for such renovation projects, it’s sending a positive message to the more than 60 women serving in uniform at the Kalamazoo Armory, along with others across the state.
Officials and contractors say if things go according to schedule, the final renovations should be completed by September of this year.
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