CRISFIELD, Md. -- This week the City of Crisfield received $250,000 to make several repairs at the historic armory building. The grant was awarded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
Crisfield was one of eight counties on the Eastern Shore to obtain funding from the DCHD's Community Legacy Program. The program doled out a combined $5.7 million.
From afar, Crisfield's Armory is a strong and well maintained structure. Look a little closer though at the castle-like facade, and you'll notice worn down bricks, a broken window and a walk way that has been locked and gated.
The building used to provide a venue for youth sports, which is why local business owner Hitesh Patel is hoping the $250,000 can help return the armory to its former glory.
"It would be a great thing for the youth, hopefully they can get in there and have some indoor soccer or basketball as we used to have," said Patel.
The money will be used to fix up heating and ventilation as well as upgrade the air conditioning and get rid of mold. Once the building is back in working order, it will be used as an entertainment venue and communal space.
"It would be great for the city to have a place like that where they could really have some really nice functions," said Mary Bradshaw, who lives in Crisfield.
Crisfield has now been awarded five grants totaling $1.25 million to be put towards rehabilitating the armory. In February, a request for proposal, or RFP, will be sent out for the HVAC and mold removal work. This project is expected to begin in the spring of 2024.
