FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

DULUTH - For the Duluth Armory, this summer's flood may have been a blessing in disguise.

Recovery funding may help the armory open its doors once again.

The Armory is a large piece of the Northland's history and flood recovery efforts have helped push restoration plans forward.

It will cost several hundred-thousand dollars to repair the damages from June's flood.

The most pressing issue is removing the asbestos disturbed by the floodwater.

"We're blessed to have the city and the FEMA partners helping to participate in the funding of the replacement of that culvert and bringing some resources to restore the armory to the prior to the flood conditions," said Nelson French, the Vice Chair of the Armory Board.

The city is helping to pay the repair costs because it was caused by a city-owned culvert.

The armory already had plans to restore the building before the flood hit.

"A lot of the events that the community had took place here. I think the most famous, of course, being when Buddy Holly played here just a few days before the tragic plane crash. Then there was the young Robert Zimmerman who later became Bob Dylan," said Mark Porier, project development consultant for the Armory Arts and Music Center.

Members of the Armory's Board hope to bring vitality back to the Armory and its surrounding areas.

They hope it will be a cultural and musical hub once again.

"The space is very much envisioned as a community space for multiple uses for a variety of people in the community," French said.

"We want it to be the eastern anchor for the downtown arts corridor. We want it to be a happening, vital place," Porier said.

There are plans for a music resource center and various programs for the youth in the community.

Even after the initial cleanup, Porier says it will be another year-and-a-half before people can enjoy what the Armory has to offer.