Oxford Halts Armory Demolition

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — The city of Oxford will spend up to $100,000 to save the existing old National Guard Armory frame and roof to turn it into a pavilion for open-air events.

The razing of the armory was stopped this week and the board of aldermen allocated the funds.

Demolition contractor Southern General had stripped the building of most of its outer walls along with interior rooms when work was stopped.

Public Works director Bart Robinson said the structure’s foundation is in good shape, and while the columns have some cosmetic damage from the demolition process on its walls, it’s not severe.

The old National Guard armory dates back decades, serving until 2001. It was a polling place as well as the first Oxford-University Transit facility.