It looks like a Grove City landmark won't face the wrecking ball.

Borough council Monday agreed to sell the Grove City Armory to RMS Systems Inc. of Grove City for $41,000.

Last month, council decided to allow re-bids for the armory after RMS Systems showed a serious interest in buying the building if its $48,000 appraisal was reconsidered. The building was appraised in 1999 and has fallen into more disrepair since then.

Selling the building would cost the borough less than tearing it down. The borough would have to pay roughly $10,000 for asbestos removal and then $50,484 to have it razed, based on demolition bids received last month.

The $41,000 proposal for the building will include the adjacent lot. RMS, of Grove City, will provide the stipulated letter of credit to the borough for $150,000 and a 10 percent bid bond or certified check. It also bid $3,200 for the contents of the armory, which was also accepted by council.

RMS is a custom electronics business on Rainey Avenue, owned by Richard Slagle.

"We started in 1986 as a consultant company and in 1991 began to manufacture systems I'd been designing," Slagle said. "There are two full-time employees, including me."

Slagle has an opportunity to expand his business "and would need considerably more room," he said.

He also has a soft spot for the historical armory.

"I'm attracted to the building. I'd hate to see it torn down. You couldn't build a building like that nowadays," he said. "I'm a softy, I guess."

Many would agree with him, including Michael Adams, president of the Grove City Area Historical Society. Acting on his own, Adams lobbied council for months to save the armory.

After serving as an armory in its early days, the building served as a gathering place for the community where dances and shows were held and, in its later years, was the location of the Grove City YMCA.

One of the biggest problems with the armory is the roof, which could cost $150,000 to replace. Replacing the roof isn't Slagle's intent.

"I'd like to preserve integrity of the building," he said. "I'd like to tear off what's (wrong) up there, do inspections and things like that. It won't be cheap, but I'm hoping to get it done for much less."

Once there's a finished product, he sees himself having quite a nice business.

"I looked at other old buildings that would still be run down even after you repaired them," Slagle said. "I think the armory will be a solid structure."