Armory-improvement project is underway at the MOST

SYRACUSE — Work continues on a project to improve the 112-year-old armory that is home to the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST).

The nonprofit museum, located at 500 S. Franklin St. in Syracuse, is using a $500,000 state grant for the improvements. The New York State Assembly awarded the grant money.

“This funding will ensure critical roof repairs, mechanical upgrades, and exterior work, all of which will be completed before our next Central New York winter,” Lauren Kochian, president of the MOST, said in her remarks at an Oct. 16 event.

When asked about what firms are handling the work, she said, “We have multiple vendors handling the contracts … Our facilities committee on our board of trustees oversees that with our facilities team in-house.” 

Kochian thanked New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for their support and understanding of just how “vital” the armory is for the community and the MOST. 

The funding will pay for improvements to the Armory building from its foundation and exterior components, to its roof and inner-mechanical operations, the MOST said.

“We’ve built a home within the armory in the name of science and technology and our home needs some repairs to be the best that it can be,” said Kochian.

In his remarks, Magnarelli noted that building repairs aren’t the “glitzy things” that usually attract grant funding, but MOST officials believe the repairs to the armory are “critical” to the building. 

As he continued, the Democrat wanted to convey the importance of both the museum and the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education that it provides, which Magnarelli calls “critically important” for education through Central New York and the city of Syracuse. 

The lawmaker then focused on the venue.

“But the building, the armory, is critical to downtown Syracuse … and to see this building start to fall apart for lack of funds, is unacceptable,” said Magnarelli.

Since its inception in 1977 as the first hands-on science center in upstate New York, the MOST’s vision has been to be a “preeminent” science and technology facility for all who visit, Kochian said in her remarks. 

The museum welcomes nearly 120,000 visitors each year.

“And we recognize how important our institution and its foot traffic is to continuing the livelihood of our bustling city,” said Kochian.