The Wilmington morning star., 1940-10-29
PLANS FOR LOCAL
ARMORY APPROVED
Continued from Page One)

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government would allocate as much
as $50, 900 on all types Of buildings,
but in the cas- of the local armory
project, which has already been ap.
prove ! by the War department, the
limit to federal government appro'
priations would be 100000.
On motion Of Commissioner Wade
and a second by Harry Gardner,
county commissioner, the city and
county boards requested Lynch to
increase the size of the structure
under tentative plans by increasing
the length or width SO as to provide
for a minimum seating capacity of
5000.
The resolution also included a
provision for submission of the ten
tative project plans to WPA officials
to ascertain how far and to what
extent the federal government would
be willing to cooperate in providing
the facilities as incorporated In
plans as approved by the city and
county boards.
Another Meet Planned
AS soon as the attitude Of the
WPA toward the proposal Is deter
mined, it was agreed, another joint
session will be called to give further
consideration to the project, includ-
ing the problems of financing.
Estimated cost Of 200, 600, under
tentative plans, would include an al.
location of approximately 500, 600
by the federal government, with the
remainder to be furnished by the
joint project sponsors, the city and
county commissioners.
In view of the fact that the city
was one of the six places In the
state to be designated recently by
the federal government for the loca-
ton of an armory, Commissioner
Wade said it was anticipated that
about 500, 900 would be granted by
the federal government, in connec-
ton with the national defense pro-
gram.
Original project plans, as COM
Piled by Commissioner Wade, pro-
vided for a structure 30 feet wide
and 120 feet long, costing a min
imum of $3.50, 900 and maximum of
$3.50, 600, and calling for a maxi
mum seating capacity of 1000.
After further consideration, it
was decided to submit tentative
plans providing for a structure 100
feet wide and $50 feet long, costing
an estimated 5000, 600, and a much
larger auditorium seating capacity,
Commissioner Wade said.
Need CT !
Commissioner Gardner and
Chairman Hewlett cited the need
for such a project here to take care
of large conventions and com.
munity events and pointed out
present facilities were not suitable
for such events.
Lynch said temporary bleachers
could be put up for various indoor
athletic contests. Tentative plans,
he said, would take care of four
military companies and portable
seating facilities could be used for
various types of entertainment.
The project, similar to the WPA
amrory at Lumberton but some.
what larger, would provide for a
drill hall for armory, purposes, he
said. could be used by the public
at all times, with ample space for
a local u. S. naval reserve feet
unit.
Commissioner Wade explained
the tentative plans not only com.
piled with the federal government
requirements for an armory but
would provide sufficient facilities
for indoor athletic contests and
community amusement events.
When indoor athletic events are
staged, he said, bleachers could be
erected along the sides Of the hall
to take care of a larger crowd. The
stage would be Is feet by 40 feet
and there would be dressing rooms
adjoining.
Under tentative plans, there
would be rooms along the sides OF
the half for supplies and lockers
for military units, ample office
space, a social room, small dining
room. The estimated cost Of $780,
600 would include about $40, 900 for
such equipment as chairs and other
features for the interior Of the
structure.
Commissioner Wade said there
was a possibility that the seating
capacity Of the structure would
be slightly increased from 200 to
5000 without materially increasing
the total estimated cost Of the work.
The resolution, offered by Com
missioner Wade, calling for a mi
nor revision in the tentative plans
by Architect Lynch and later SUBJ
mission for consideration OF WPA
officials. was unanimously carried
by the joint session, which decided
to meet again as soon as definite
word is received from the WPA.
Tumbleweeds stopped a train