Whenever any armory shall be no longer needed by the national guard, or other military organization, or in the judgment of the board is unsuitable for military purposes, the board shall have the authority, and it is hereby expressly empowered to sell, transfer and convey such armory to the municipality, county or county board of education or any two or more of the same or combination thereof in which the same is located, for public purposes, upon such terms as the board may deem to be in the best interest of the state: Provided, That if such municipality, county or board of education shall not purchase such armory, the board shall then be authorized to sell, transfer and convey the same to any person, firm, or corporation upon such terms as the board may deem to be in the best interest of the state: Provided further, That if the armory cannot be sold in this manner, the board may lease it for other than military purposes as provided in section ten of this article.
W. Va. Code § 15-6-17