The historic Mount Vernon Armory is set for a major comeback after the city secured $22 million to revitalize the long-shuttered community facility.

Built in 1889, the Armory served the community for more than a century. It was used by the National Guard and later became home to senior programs and the Rose Simon program for children with developmental disabilities, according to Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard.

The building closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and was condemned in 2021 because of deterioration. Its closure left residents relying on the Doles Center, the city's other community center.

For residents who spent years at the Armory, its eventual return is welcome news.

"I met so many people there," resident Azilda Sauls said. "Although some of the people from there came here [Doles Center], so I still felt at home. But I really, really preferred going to the armory."

The city has received $9 million from local leaders, Rep. George Latimer and Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, and another $13 million from Gov. Kathy Hochul, bringing the total funding for the project to $22 million.

In 2023, the city received $1 million to help restore the Armory. That money went to fixing the roof.

"The restoration of a building and the renovation of a building is more expensive, really, than building a new building from the ground up," said the mayor.

Patterson-Howard said the city is planning a full redesign that would transform it into a three-story space without adding another floor, allowing the city to increase usable square footage and provide more services.

The project is still in its early stages, and city officials say it will take a few years before changes are made.