Document text
Since You Asked: Medford Armory on track to reopen in April Tuesday Feb 21, 2017 at 12:01 AM What's the latest on what's going on at the Medford Armory? We the faithful flea market fanatics really miss our treasure hunts! — Lois B., Jacksonville   To find out when locals will be able to get their bargain fix again, we asked Chris Ingersoll with the Oregon Military Department. Turns out, the armory is on track to reopen in April, though Ingersoll threw in a caveat. "We haven't seen anything that would make us think that it won't open in April. However, it is construction, and sometimes there are setbacks," Ingersoll said. The facility has been closed since April 2016 and is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar remodel that includes structural improvements, new heating and air conditioning system, new windows, restrooms and kitchen facilities, according to Oregon Military Department budget documents. As welcome as those creature comforts are, the catalyst for the update was the dangerous levels of lead in facilities that once contained indoor firing ranges, according to April Davis with the department.   The facility, built in 1959, ceased to be an indoor firing range in 1984, according OMD documents. As of Dec. 14, lead levels were down to acceptable levels after samples were taken at 23 locations throughout the facility. — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.