What's On the State Surplus List Now? Healdsburg Armory

Healdsburg Mayor Gary Plass said wants to engage the community in saving the former Healdsburg National Guard Armory on Powell Avenue from going on the state's chopping block Jan. 1.

"I would like to turn it into something for the use of the Healdsburg community," Plass said Tuesday. "To me, it could be a great example of a public-private partnership.

"I think it would be well worth the time to try to figure out how to get the property back in our hands," he added.

The armory was included in Senate Bill 1580, a bill approved by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 29. Listed on the bill were various properties that were being declared surplus and thus available for sale on the open market.

The list included the armory at 900 Powell Ave., a two-acre property with a large deteriorating building that the city gave to the state in the 1940s, according to Plass.

Healdsburg tried later to lease the building for $1 per year, but the state at the time wanted to charge $4,000 to $5,000 per month rent.

"That was ridiculous," Plass said. "So instead, it's sitting there rotting away."

Plass informed the rest of Healdsburg City Council on the issue at last week's public meeting. He said Tuesday he is interested in gathering community support to get the property back.

"I'm going to be exploring all options," he said. "I'd like to revisit the exercise."

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