A long-time Toppenish landmark may soon be put used to house programs of the Yakama Nation.
The Toppenish Washington National Guard Armory has been purchased by the Nation and the transaction closed Feb. 26, according to Stefanie Fuller, property acquisition and disposal manager for the state.
Fuller said the purchase price was $500,000, its appraised value she said.
The structure has a 6,000-sq. ft. drill floor, up to 600 sq. ft. of classroom area, a 137-sq. ft. kitchen, and a graveled, fenced parking area.
Fuller said notification was sent out in September of last year that the property was available for purchase.
Carroll Palmer of Yakama Nation Land Enterprise said last week the property “would probably be accessible” to the tribe sometime in April.
He said there was a need to move two of its programs into the armory right away.
Simon Sampson, head of the Toppenish Community Safety Network, addressed the Toppenish City Council at its March 8 regular meeting and announced that his organization’s top priority was to establish a youth center and community center that could provide a location for activities that would provide an alternative to and help prevent gang involvement.
Sampson suggested that the city and the tribe cooperate to make use of the armory building for that purpose.
However, Palmer said that because of the need for the space for tribal programs, it was unlikely that it would be available for other uses.  
The armory was closed last year as a cost-cutting measure.