The Minnesota National Guard is coming back to Austin.

National Guard members and the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. Tuesday to offer residents the chance to see the newly renovated National Guard Armory in Austin.

“This renovation provides a more efficient use of space, maximizes the training capability for the unit, creates additional usage opportunities for the community and provides an appealing atmosphere for community events,” said Sgt. First Class David Gansen, readiness non-commission officer for 224th Transportation Company, in a press release.

The Austin Armory serves as home to the 224th Transportation Company Headquarters providing training space for 100 soldiers each month. The armory is also used by community members regularly for weddings and benefits.

The 22,000-square-foot building was built in 1964.

The $3.7 million, year-long renovation completed in October 2014 includes; a new roofing membrane, modernized kitchen, female locker and shower facilities, physical fitness training room, ADA accessibility improvements and addition storage areas.

Aesthetical improvements included adding clerestory windows in the drill hall, window treatments, fresh interior paint and new flooring.

Additional mechanical and electrical improvements to the armory focused on safety and energy savings. The renovation includes a new high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system throughout the facility with remote monitoring and control, as well as fire sprinkler system and new plumbing fixtures. In addition, interior occupancy sensing lighting for optimal energy savings was added, electrical wiring, outlets and fire and smoke alarm systems were updated. A new public address system for the drill hall, as wells as a mass notification system for the entire building was installed.

For more on the armory go to www.austindailyherald.com/2014/07/austin-armory-to-finish-facelift-this-fall/