Army National Guard building to undergo $5.7 million renovation

The nearly half century old Texas Army National Guard Readiness Center in Northeast El Paso is getting a more than $5 million makeover.

The 40,000 square foot training complex is located on the corner of U.S. 54 and Hondo Pass. It was built in 1973, expanded in 1980, but has not received any renovations since the early 1990s.

ABC-7 was given a tour of the Readiness Center, which is in very bad shape. ABC-7 found water damage throughout the building, including peeling paint and cracked cinder block walls in several areas.

Soldiers told us the parking lot floods with heavy rains and water often comes in through the doors and roof.

Through a program called the State of Texas Armory Revitalization Program, federal and state funds totaling $5.75 million have been set aside for the improvements. Among the expected changes are a new roof, renovations of bathrooms, as well extensive H-VAC, sewer and plumbing repairs.

ABC-7 spoke with Jordy Keith, a spokesperson for the Texas Army National Guard, about the project.

“We want to make sure when the public visits the building and when our soldiers go there to work every day and to go to their drill weekends that they are safe and sound,” Keith said. “Once the work gets underway, we’re looking at an estimated substantial completion of probably Summer of 2018.”

The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce’s Business Connect department is seeking contractors to do the work. Pre-qualification documents are due by April 11.

In addition to the multi-million dollar maintenance project, the Texas Military Department is holding an auction of more than nine acres of land adjacent to the property.

The auction is scheduled for 11 a.m. April 20 at the Courtyard Marriott Airport.