30 May 2024
DULUTH — After decades of anticipation, renovation of a historic city landmark is about to begin in earnest.
Project proponents, including their development partner, Sherman Associates, just issued a request for proposals that could kick off what’s expected to be a $58 million renovation of the Duluth Armory intended to restore the building to its previous glory and role as a true community center.
If all goes according to plan, a contractor will be selected by July and crews will begin replacing the building’s massive membrane roof in August.
Additional work will follow, with the project slated for likely completion by summer 2026.
To accompany the news of a pending construction timeline, the nonprofit Armory Arts and Music Center also announced changes to its leadership team Wednesday. Mark Poirier, who has served as executive director of the Armory Arts and Music Center since 2012, will be stepping into a construction supervisory role.
Meanwhile, Poirier will be joined as co-executive director by Michelle Miller, the center’s fundraising director.
Poirier, 62, is prepared to relinquish his leadership role at the Armory as the project nears completion in 2025, and when he does so, the organization’s Music Resource Center Program Director Shawna Weaver is slated to shift into a co-executive director position alongside Miller.
“The great thing about a co-director model is it really builds on the strengths and skill sets of the leadership team,” Miller said.
Poirier, an architect, said his talents are well-suited to moving into construction mode at the armory, 1301 London Road.
After years of dreaming of a restoration, Poirier said, “I love this part. It really plays to my strengths and my architectural background.
“I mean, I love all the parts. I enjoy learning the history and meeting the many people who have been involved with the armory and feeding off their enthusiasm. But I have a special passion for preservation and bringing this building back,” he said.
Miller acknowledged the project timeline has slid backward a bit as its price has increased.
Poirier suggested that was to be expected, given the rising costs of labor and materials. “There are a lot of extra costs with an old building, and we’ve anticipated that all along,” he said, noting that the project has received grants to assist with both asbestos and lead paint abatement.
Poirier said the local nonprofit also counts itself lucky to have an experienced partner in Sherman Associates, a firm that has tackled numerous historic renovations, including the prominent NorShor Theatre in downtown Duluth.
George Sherman, the firm’s founder, has remained a steadfast supporter of the project, which still faces funding gaps. The armory development team had sought additional help in the form of a state bonding request, which proved unsuccessful when a bonding bill faltered this legislative session.
But the armory did walk away with $4.5 million in bond funding last year, as well as the restoration of a historic tax credit program that could add another $9 million in support for the project.
Poirier said the price increases for the armory also result, in part, from plans to incorporate more of the internal build-out costs internally, rather than pushing them to future tenants, expected to be a mix of nonprofits and business entities.
The armory expects to host a food hall, music education program, recording and performing space, community kitchen and exhibits celebrating its storied past as a venue that once attracted the likes of Buddy Holly, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash and Duke Ellington.
Poirier said he is proud to have been involved with the project since 2001 but has no qualms about stepping away as the armory nears completion.
“I will be so excited to see this reach the finish line,” he said.
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