Public Education Plays Key Role in Project Progression
When it came to informing the community about the Callahan County Courthouse restoration, county leaders used a variety of methods including public meetings, PowerPoint presentations, videos, social media posts, and a dedicated booklet. In fact, the Courthouse Timeline published in the booklet, “We the People,” offers a glimpse into the county’s continual efforts to keep the public informed every step of the way.
Voelcker & Dixon Architects & Engineers of Wichita Falls designed the 1929 Callahan County Classical Revival Courthouse, as explained on the Courthouse Recorded Texas Historic Landmark plaque placed in 2003. “Suggs and Dunlap Contractors constructed the building, which features intricate detailing, including acanthus leaves, rosettes, medallions and cartouches,” according to the marker text.
Some 70 years later following multiple repairs, County Judge Roger Corn explored possible involvement in the Texas Historical Commission (THC) Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). This initial discussion led to multiple awards including emergency, planning, and restoration grants.
In November 2020, Callahan County citizens voted in support of two propositions. Proposition A addressed the issuance of bonds for up to $6.98 million for a local contribution, which was required to accept the THCPP full restoration grant of $4.68 million. Proposition B was for the issuance of bonds for the renovation, expansion, and improvement of the county annex building, the Calvo Building, and the historic 1877 jail for use as a county office and records archive space.
Now 95 years later, Callahan County is on the homestretch of a decades-long journey that pays homage to the past while preparing the county for the future.
“The restoration of our courthouse is so much more than preserving history,” shared Callahan County Judge Nicki Harle. “It’s giving the 1929 building the ultimate respect for what has transpired there daily for decades and demonstrates the value of preserving it for many decades to come.”
The county selected Komatsu as the project architect and J.C. Stoddard Construction as construction manager for the $11.66 million project.
“I’ve been very impressed with how the historical integrity is being preserved while blending modern technology and requirements of today’s building codes, and I commend the oversight committee, established before my term began, on their attention to details that could have very easily been overlooked,” Harle stated. “The citizens of Callahan County are sure to be impressed with and proud of the restoration of their county courthouse!”
County Progress asked County Auditor Sandra Rose, a member of the Callahan County Facilities Committee, to provide an overview of the project. We appreciate Sandra for taking the time to visit with us:
CP: What prompted the decision to restore the courthouse?
The county was experiencing major issues related to the age of the building that were affecting daily operations and accessibility of parts of the building. There was water infiltration that was damaging windows and woodwork and threatening archived documents, the roof needed to be replaced, and there was even original cloth wiring in some offices. The elevator was not operational for months at a time due to unavailability of parts for repairs, and members of the public could not access the district courtroom on the third floor. During the COVID outbreak, it became apparent to the public that there was no hot water accessible in the building, which presented cleanliness and sanitation challenges. The county had developed a master plan, and as the challenges grew, it became apparent that a full restoration was necessary to preserve the building and prepare it for future use.
CP: What was the rationale behind going out for a bond election instead of using certificates of obligation?
This is a once-in-a-generation project in its size and scope, and county officials felt it was crucial to let the public’s voices be heard regarding moving forward with the restoration and agreeing to pay for it. We aligned the vote with the 2020 presidential election because we wanted to ensure high voter turnout, and it certainly met expectations. The voice of the people overwhelmingly spoke in support of the project and the value it provides to the citizens.
CP: Please summarize your efforts to educate the public and their general response.
Since Callahan County hadn’t issued bonds since the 1950s, public education both about the project and the bond process as a whole was priority number one. We developed detailed booklets that included county history, details about the project, and estimated cost. These were available on social media, at numerous public locations, and at three public hearings where county officials, architects, THC representatives, and financial advisors presented information and answered questions. County officials also met with local civic groups, chambers of commerce, city councils, elected officials, and community leaders to familiarize them with the vision for the project. Response was largely positive, and because we were very involved in the education process, we were able to catch instances of misinformation and correct them quickly.
CP: What is the current status of the project?
The courthouse project is approximately 75 percent complete, and we are anticipating moving in 2024. Callahan County voters also passed a bond proposition during the same election that provides funding for the renovation and expansion of the county annex building, and that project should be complete in 2025.
CP: How would you advise other counties who want to launch a project such as yours?
My best advice is first to develop a local team of individuals who care about the vision for the project. These people are crucial to help develop the plan, gather resources, and educate the public about the county’s needs. I also strongly recommend reaching out to the THC to learn about all the resources they bring to help counties with restoration efforts. Our THC representative, Eva Osborne, has been invaluable in helping guide us through the Courthouse Restoration Grant process and ensuring that Callahan County is able to preserve our beautiful building and prepare it for future service.
Callahan County Courthouse Restoration Timeline
The following are excerpts from the timeline, available in full at https://bit.ly/3Sa1sRP.
- 2002: Judge Roger Corn starts discussion and involvement in the Texas Historical Commission Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP); Master Plan efforts begin.
- 2014: Round XIII Emergency Grant Application; Round XIII awarded in the amount of $450,000.
- 2015: Public Presentations on Round XIII, Phase I, receives overwhelming support from the public.
- 2016: Certificates of Obligation are issued for $1.5 million, costs the taxpayer $0.016191 per $100 of property for 2020-2021
- Construction begins on Phase I. (Part of Emergency Grant, addressed electrical infrastructure upgrades and replacement of exterior windows that were in imminent distress.)
- 2018: County applies for Planning & Specifications Grant as a part of future grant cycle;
- County receives $865,109 award for Planning & Specifications, more than any county in Texas has ever been awarded for this type of grant;
- Judge Roger Corn retires after serving Callahan County for 20 years. Judge Corn is the longest-serving County Judge since the county’s founding in 1877.
- 2019: Judge G. Scott Kniffen is sworn in as County Judge, 40 years to the day after his father, Mack Kniffen, became County Judge;
- Facilities Committee formed to work on needs assessment of ALL county facilities.
- 2020: County Commissioners Court passes a Resolution of Support on Texas Independence Day to preserve the Historic 1929 Courthouse to serve future generations; county applies for Full Restoration Grant as a part of Round XI;
- Callahan County is one of three counties in Texas awarded a Full Restoration Grant;
- Commissioners Court votes to put bond proposition on November ballot to fund the matching part of the Courthouse Grant and to renovate the annex building to be used for county offices. This is the first time Callahan County has proposed a bond in almost 60 years.