HARRISBURG  Legislation authorizing the sale of the Kane Armory building and property has been signed into law, according to Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint.

“This law will allow the Commonwealth to move forward with the sale of the armory property, which has been vacant for a few years, and save nearly $10,000 annually in building maintenance costs,” Causer said. “More importantly, it provides the opportunity to put the property into productive use and on the tax rolls.”

Causer introduced the legislation to authorize the sale at the request of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). It allows for the conveyance (sale) of two separate properties. The first includes the armory building, which is just under 16,000 square feet in size, and a detached three-bay concrete block garage sitting on approximately 0.34 acres. The second property is known as the weekend training site and consists of a fenced compound, large metal storage building and small storage sheds on approximately 1.46 acres.

Causer noted the armory was built in 1922 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When the property is advertised for bid, it will include an historic preservation covenant approved by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The person or entity that purchases the building with the covenant would receive a discount on the property in exchange for the preservation of the building. If the property is not sold in the first round of bidding, the covenant would be removed for the second bid request.

The law, Act 82 of 2017, takes effect in 60 days.