Ruppersberger Announces $829,000 for an Extensive Renovation of the Dundalk Armory

(Dundalk, MD)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) announced $829,000 in federal funds for a much needed renovation of the Dundalk Armory and took a tour of the facility on March 7, 2008.  The Dundalk Armory is home to two Army units totaling about 300 citizen soldiers. 

The Armory was built in 1960 and is in dire need of repair.  The roof leaks.  The kitchen is outdated and has one stove and sink for 300 people.  Women share one bathroom in the front of the facility.  Lockers can house only half of the equipment issued to soldiers and the locker room doesn’t have any heat.  There is inadequate classroom space.  The old rifle range was converted to a classroom but that also does not have any heat.  There are a few window air conditioning units so the Armory is very hot in the summer.  The electrical system is outdated.  

Troops at the Armory respond to local natural disasters including Hurricane Isabel as well as other snowstorms and floods.  Currently, three quarters of the troops are deployed in Iraq.    

“Whether you are for or against the war, we must support our troops.  Part of supporting our troops is making sure they have adequate facilities where they can train.  These three hundred citizen soldiers have answered the call to serve their country.  These men and women serving in our Armed Forces are our neighbors, our friends, and our colleagues.  They deserve better.  The Dundalk Armory needs a complete overhaul.  This $829,000 will help design and plan for an extensive renovation,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).    

When complete, the Dundalk Armory will be twice the size it is now for a total of close to 70,000 square feet.  It will have a full size commercial kitchen, lots of classroom and training space, a full size locker room with toilets, showers, heat and air conditioning, a new ventilation system, a new electrical system, and a drill area that doesn’t leak.  The remainder of the project will cost approximately $14 million.

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