Texas Legislature Appropriates $20.2 Million for Courthouse Preservation

Texas Historical Commission

Legislature Appropriates $20.2 Million for Courthouse Preservation

 

The 85th Texas Legislature allocated $20.2 million to the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) for its 10th grant cycle. Grant applications and a timeline will be available at thc.texas.gov in late August; the application deadline is Feb. 5, 2018.

To be considered for emergency, planning, or major full restoration funding, the courthouse must be at least 50 years old, and a preservation master plan must be developed by the county and approved by the THC. Courthouse master plans are prepared by a preservation consultant selected by the county and include an assessment of the current conditions of the building, identification of all needed repairs and improvements, and an estimated cost. An outline of required content can be found on the agency website.

Counties wishing to participate in the next grant cycle should have their master plans and/or construction documents drafted by mid-November for THC review.

“Restored county courthouses provide safe and functional facilities for staff and the public they serve,” said THC Architecture Division Director Sharon Fleming. “They also provide essential economic benefits and development to communities across the state.”

Courthouse preservation projects have created more than 10,650 jobs in Texas and generated more than $555 million in revenue. Restored courthouses reinvigorate historic downtowns and promote heritage tourism, a $7.3 billion industry in Texas.

“Across Texas, we’ve seen restored courthouses attract visitors and enhance property values,” said THC Executive Director Mark Wolfe. “With continued support from the Texas Legislature, we remain committed to assisting counties in restoring their historic courthouses and maximizing the significant economic benefits these buildings provide to their communities.”

With more than 240, Texas has more historic courthouses than any other state. They have been deemed national treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and they have been collectively included twice on the Trust’s Most Endangered Places list. The THCPP has earned national and international attention with awards from the Association for Preservation Technology International, the Texas Society of Architects, and the Society of Architectural Historians. In 2008, the program was recognized with a Presidential Award from the White House.

The THCPP was established in 1999 by former Gov. George Bush and the 76th Texas Legislature. Since the first grant cycle in 2000, the program has attracted more than 131 participants, and awarded more than $270 million to counties to fully restore 67 courthouses and provide smaller grants to assist with emergency and planning projects.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Texas Legislature appropriated about $20 million for the 2016-2017 biennium. Applications were received in late 2015, and awards for the Round IX projects totaled $20,162,369 to eight counties. Fannin, Karnes, Lynn, and San Saba counties received major grant funding to completely restore and update their courthouses.

Fannin County has relocated offices and will start work on their courthouse this year. The ambitious project will reverse a 1960s modernization and re-create the building’s Victorian features.

Work on the Karnes County Courthouse has been ongoing for several years. The state grant launched its final phase of work last summer, and a rededication of their treasured landmark is being planned for early 2018.   Both Lynn County and San Saba County recently began their restoration plans after years of requests for major project funding from the state.

The allocation for the Round IX grant cycle was stretched to provide limited funding for emergency grant awards to address critical conditions that posed safety concerns at courthouses in Cameron, Kleberg and Willacy counties, and a planning grant to produce construction documents for Hunt County’s future full restoration.

A webinar addressing the grant application process will be available to view online throughout fall 2017. In addition, assistance and further information on grants or approval for proposed work can be obtained by contacting the THC’s Architecture Division at 512-463-6094.