By Bonnie Culverhouse

Repurposing an empty building could be beneficial for all of Webster Parish and Region 7.

The National Guard Armory building on Clerk Street, was donated by the State of Louisiana to the City of Minden and has been empty, except for storage use for many years.

Brian Williams, executive director of Webster Parish Homeland Security, said he would like to repurpose the building to a 911 headquarters building and warehouse.

Mayor Nick Cox, during a recent workshop, said the warehouse would store all generators for the parish and all emergency aid for five of the seven parishes in Region 7.

“From a City of Minden standpoint, we would be ready for any emergencies, and be very well equipped in the city,” Cox said. “Things that are spread throughout the parish now would be in one place.”

Williams said products such as water, cots and other emergency equipment are scattered from Sarepta to Sibley in at least nine different locations.

“From a parish point of view, what we are trying to do is consolidate that in one location,” Williams said.

He said for the past year, Homeland Security has been seeking a warehouse for Region 7 – “all the parishes except Caddo and Bossier, because they have their own warehouses,” he added. “The other parishes have water and other aid that are also scattered in other places, so we would all benefit from this.”

Williams will also pursue grant funding to rehabilitate the building.

Mobile command would be housed there, as well.

If Webster Parish Police Jury agrees to accept the property, it will become responsible for utilities and insurance on the building – something City of Minden is doing now. It could happen as early as the police jury’s May meeting.