MOUNT VERNON — At a press conference Thursday afternoon, it was announced the City of Mt. Vernon will be receiving nearly $2 million in state grants to help turn the old Illinois National Guard Armory into a recreation center.

The building has been vacant for several years, and according to Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, state lawmakers recently restored two grants that had been placed on hold, one for $1.5 million and another for $400,000.

The $400,000 will go toward an outdoor park space project at Lincoln Park.

Chesley says the $1.5 million will be used to turn the old Armory building located at the corner of Broadway and 7th Street into a recreation center.

In 2014, plans for the recreation center included basketball and volleyball courts, along with yoga classes and other similar activities.