Cherryvale Receives KAN STEP Grant to Remodel Armory For Community Building

The armory at Cherryvale was one of the projects decommissioned by the State of Kansas in late 2010. The city was enthusiastic to acquire the building and to remodel it into a modern, multipurpose community center. As a result of their commitment to the project, the Cherryvale Armory Rehabilitation Project will receive a $296,622 KAN STEP grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to remodel and update the 1950's facility. Volunteers will contribute approximately $201,000 in donated services.

Cherryvale has a population of approximately 2,350; it is located in extreme southeast Kansas.

The rehabilitation project will include updating site concrete, replacing exterior windows and doors, furring of exterior masonry walls with insulation, and creating a plywood and dry-walled exercise room. The hall and vestibule walls will also be dry-walled. The kitchen will be reconfigured; restrooms will be modified as will the janitor’s closet. The former locker room will become the new activity/meeting room. Two offices and a classroom will also be created. New plumbing, HVAC, gas and electrical upgrades will also be a part of the volunteer labor rehabilitation project.

Greg Danel, City Administrator, is the KAN STEP project sparkplug. Kyle Trendel, AAIA, Devore and Associates, Ottawa, is the project architect. Clelia McCrory with Esstack, Sterling, KS, is grant administrator. Inspection services and technical assistance will be provided by Kansas Rural Water Association.