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JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The City of Jacksonville announced Friday that it plans to tear down a historic building that closed due to structural safety concerns.
The former USO building opened in 1942 and served generations of troops and their families.
It permanently closed in 2021 after a Navy study found major problems with its foundation. Officials say sinkholes under the building caused it to slowly lean toward the river.
The study also discovered asbestos throughout the building, major stormwater damage and areas that did not meet ADA accessibility standards.
A new USO location was opened at Camp Lejeune in 2023.
The Marine Corps asked the federal General Services Administration to demolish the building because repairs would cost too much. The city later bought the property from the agency.
“We understand what this building means to Jacksonville, particularly to the service members and USO volunteers who passed through its doors,” Deputy City Manager Ron Massey said. “We have taken the time necessary to consider the available options. Unfortunately, the building’s structural condition leaves no practical path for continued use. Our responsibility now is to handle its dismantling with care, preserve what we can, and ensure that its history remains part of this site.”
The city plans to place a historical marker on the property. Bricks from the building will also be saved and offered to the public as keepsakes.
The city is also taking the first steps in requesting bids to demolish the building. Officials say they have bought nearby properties and want to redevelop the area in the future.
The USO remains open at its Camp Lejeune location.
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