Oregon Public Broadcasting

The federal government has agreed to spend $12 million to help the Oregon Military Department rehab an armory just outside of Dallas.

Congressman Kurt Schrader was able to secure funding for the project west of Salem. 

Brigadier General Mike Caldwell says he appreciates the help for a building on the priority repair list. The Polk County Readiness Center hasn't been habitable for some time.

Mike Caldwell: "We started noticing structural failure on it about ten years ago. We did some modifications to shore it up, because we just didn't have the money to build a new one. The last couple years have just been real hard on it."

Caldwell says the big snowstorm last winter did the Armory in. A separation appeared in one of the major support walls. The building's been closed since then.

The Center is home to a company of combat engineers. The Guard will use the federal money to demolish the building. A new site has already been picked out, not far from the edge of town.

The appropriation is part of a bill that cleared the House vote Friday with funding for military construction and some veterans' benefits.

No vote is yet scheduled for its companion Senate bill.