Double Tap Range buys former ICE facility for $1.5 million
City redevelopment authority OKs sale
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The Altoona Redevelopment Authority unanimously approved a $1.5 million sales agreement with Double Tap Range and Armory on Friday for the former Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility along Chestnut Avenue after tabling the sale last month in hopes of getting more proposals and better transparency.
Double Tap owners Jesse Moyer and John Mowery respected the board's decision to advertise the 5.6-acre property to ensure "absolute public transparency," Moyer said.
"The public comment period has concluded and no other bids were accepted," he said. "Today, we stand before you not just as viable bidders, but as an absolute perfect fit for this highly specialized facility."
Since the site is a former federal armory and range operation, it requires a specific type of operator, Moyer said, adding they plan to maintain and enhance the existing firing ranges, allow access for local law enforcement officers to train and renovate and lease out the remaining 50,000-plus-square-feet of space on the property -- creating jobs and commercial tax revenue for the city.
"The massive footprint will not sit dark," Moyer said.
After transitioning Double Tap's commercial operations to Chestnut Avenue, they plan to expand from the current six lanes to 20 pistol lanes and six rifle lanes, Moyer said, noting the
pistol lanes will be 25 yards and the rifle lanes will be a 50-yard range.
According to previous Mirror reports, ICE ceased its operations at the facility in early 2025, relocating its armory operations to Georgia, then turned the facility back to the city several months later.
The facility had been linked to immigration since July 1994, when ICE predecessor Immigration and Naturalization Service turned it into a weapons repair facility. From 1947 until shortly before INS took it over, the property was the site of a U.S. Naval Reserve Training Center.
"A lot of old Navy veterans are dying to get back in there and take a look at it," Moyer said, noting there's still anchors on the floor and old memorabilia in the unique facility.
Board member Ron
Beatty said he appreciates Double Tap's offer for the property and wished Moyer and Mowery the best of luck, as did fellow member Jessica Sprouse.
"I thank you for your effort in coming to our meetings and being as respectful as the group has," Sprouse said.
Orchard Park settlement approved
The redevelopment authority also approved a settlement with the Friends of Little Orchard Park, which -- once Blair County Judge Dave Consiglio signs off -- will bring an end to a dispute that began last fall after residents became aware of the authority's plans to build seven homes on the longtime recreational property in Logantown.
Solicitor Patrick Fanelli advised the board to enter into an executive session to comment or ask questions related to the settlement, which the board approved without the need for discussion.
Tim Smith, chairman of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee -- Keystone State, was the only resident who spoke about the settlement during public comment, prior to the board's approval.
"Top-down solutions forced on neighborhoods may have great intentions. However, the greatest resources in a neighborhood revitalization effort are the people that already live there," Smith said, thanking Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, which supported the Friends in the case.
Residents sought no damages and paid for its legal fees with the kindness of anonymous donors, who purchased hoagies and supported a group of kids who went door to door collecting dimes and quarters to save the park, he said.
The Friends will strive to work with the city to make the Logantown-Fairview area a place where families can come, buy a starter home and live the American dream, Smith said.
"We hope the city of Altoona will work with us and see what we are capable of doing together, so we can make this episode the first chapter in a new period of opportunity, start a wave of revitalization and set an example for all the other little historic neighborhoods across the city of Altoona," Smith said.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.