“We are strongly encouraged by the proposal and look forward to a great partnership with the National Trust as we work toward a bright future for this historic building,” said Col. James W. Wright, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca.

Today, ahead of Veterans Day weekend, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca and the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced a breakthrough partnership to find a new use for the Mountain View Officers’ Club (MVOC)—one of only two WWII-era African-American officers’ clubs in the country. The U.S. Army has conditionally accepted a rehabilitation and reuse proposal presented by the National Trust and local partners, which allows a National Trust-led coalition to move forward in exploring new partnerships, commercial leasing options and funding opportunities, including competitive government grants.

In the spirit of the original Officers’ Club, the proposal revives the historic building and grounds as a new full-time restaurant, bar, events, and catering facility that actively honors the history of the site while fulfilling pressing business and entertainment needs of the surrounding community. This would once again position the MVOC as an attractive destination for meetings, dining, recreation, and outdoor activities, and promote closer connections between Fort Huachuca, the City of Sierra Vista and Cochise County.

The concept encompasses a multi-phased rehabilitation and reuse plan that:

• Restores the building to its historic appearance in compliance with the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Sensitively updates and expands the facilities to accommodate and encourage contemporary event, restaurant and recreational uses daily.
• Provides a canvas upon which the significance and stories of the MVOC, the African-American military experience, the Buffalo Soldiers, and Fort Huachuca can be shared with a large military and public audience.
• Creates a facility that will become a source of pride for Fort Huachuca, the Army and Sierra Vista.

In addition to identifying opportunities for interested commercial investors across the region, the National Trust and partners are also looking beyond the private sector for funding sources. Most recently, Arizona State Parks and Trails applied for a $500,000 capital grant from the National Park Service’s African-American Civil Rights Fund, which would allow for the restoration of the building’s exterior to its 1942 appearance, as well as key elements of the Dance Hall inside.

You can read the full press release here and download the revitalization plan here.

To learn more about future opportunities at the MVOC, please contact Chris Morris at cmorris@savingplaces.org.

The MVOC National Treasure project team is comprised of professionals from: the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Arizona State Parks and Trails; the Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers; the Arizona Community Foundation; the Arizona Preservation Foundation; the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation; Raytheon; the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona; Kadence Restaurant Group; Poster Frost Mirto; and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca.