National Guard Proposes Opening Regional Facility

The National Guard wants to open a large regional facility at the site of a former rock processing plant in Azusa that would be home base for 600 guardsmen and 300 military vehicles, city officials said.

Officials for the National Guard and the Owl Rock Products have presented a proposal to the city council for a nearly 100,000-square-foot facility to be built on the 15-acre site at Todd and Sierra Madre avenues, Mayor Cristina Madrid said.

Guard officials told the City Council Monday they plan to combine bases across the county into the Azusa location, Madrid said. “Given the nature of the use, the city will under take a careful review of the proposed facility,” she said.

Community Development Director Roy Bruckner said the Guard’s proposal calls for a two-story facility that would include a central hall, dining area, administration offices, classrooms and a weapons vault.

Bruckner said the city will have to approve a zoning change and a general plan amendment for the project. Guard officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday but Bruckner said they are hoping for approval by year’s end.