The center for the arts!!!

Great idea, Tony! What a unique arts center that facility would make, and it would be just doors down from the new White Rabbit Studios. This would, however, require the city purchasing the property, I suspect.

I personally would love to see the structure stand, no matter what the interior is used for. It is a really great part of the city's history.

An arts center is a fabulous idea. It is withing walking distance of downtown and it would open up a wonderful new venue for the Marlborough community. It is also up to all of us to respect and maintain our historic buildings.

An arts center would be good, however there is a lot of history in the building itself. Residents of Marlborough who were members of the 101st Quatermaster Company left that armory to fight in France in WWI and subsequent wars after. I think the city should purchase it and turn it into a museum for the history of the city.

A museum or gallery in that area (like the studios) is a real upgrade from the current state of the neighborhood. The facility is pretty large, and given that it was an armory, it's architecture internally is large spaces (for weaponry, vehicles, etc) I'm sure.. which makes for nice gallery or even a performance space.. maybe a small stage for community theatre (as well as other community events) on the first floor, with galleries in the second floor? I never like the idea of tearing down historic buildings, and if the building is structurally useful, why not use it?

All great ideas, and it seems many would like to see the building stay intact.

A Facebook reader had an interesting comment as well: "would love to see it preserved and made into a self-sustaining structure like this town is trying to do for their armory http://www.villisca.com/Armory.htm"; ... http://www.facebook.com/MarlboroughPatch

With the artists condos just up the street, wouldn't it be great to have the area become a music and arts area of the state. Marlborough is the hub of the state of Mass.

Combining the preservation/military history and creating a multiuse space for arts and performance is a great idea. It would be a really cool space with an urban feel and it would be easy to get to by foot or by car. Imagine catching a musical performance at the armory and then afterward strolling to the coffee loft for latte! It would be great if patrons could take advantage of the parking across the street.

The owner of the property probably wants to tear it down in order to build a business that would be PROFITABLE and maybe create a few JOBS.

But I like pool, so maybe the owner could renovate and call it "Armory Billiards."