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Armory Project Said to be Stalled

Rehabilitation of a Toledo landmark is supposed to be in full swing this month, but some worry the project has stalled.

POINT PLACE -- Rehabilitation of a Toledo landmark is supposed to be in full swing this month, but some worry the project has stalled. The Bay View Naval Armory sits along the Maumee River, in Point Place. It's a grand old building with a storied history, housing everything from the local Naval Reserve headquarters, to lavish high school proms.  This summer we told you a developer was supposed to have the place restored by February. Today we checked back to see if he's following through.

"My grandfather and father helped build it," says Al Crawford, who himself served in the navy at the armory for years. Watching it decline is tough. "It's sad, it almost brings tears to my eyes," he says. Last July, we took you inside. The roof had huge holes, with standing water on the floor, and piles of debris.

The city said the Mighigan-based owner had until this month to clean it up. "It's better than nothing. anything is progress," Al says. Today there are signs the project is moving forward since News 11 shined the spotlight. We couldn't get inside, but from a distance you can see the major problem, the roof, is fixed.

"We got the top done. see all the new sections," said a construction worker that we stopped outside the project.  He says the building's now safe from the elements, since the roof was done. The inside cleanup is next. "It needs a lot of money in it, but it's going good," the worker said.

The owner says he might use the armory for boat storage. Al Crawford would rather see a museum, but he's glad it's at least being preserved, after he called News 11. "You've helped many people with many things. good to know there's somebody on your side," Al said.

We tried to contact the owner, roger homrich, but he did not return our calls. Meantime, Councilman Joe Birmingham says the city is pleased with the progress, but the project is yet to get an official nod of approval from inspectors. The city still needs to issue a certificate of completion once it decides the building has been completely secured and weatherproofed.

We're told the owner actually has until the middle of the month before inspectors will be back.

The Bay Park Armory was built in 1936. The Navy officially pulled out of the building in 1988.

Count on News 11 to follow this story as it develops.

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