More of our state’s beloved courthouses will be restored and modernized with the next round of grants from the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. The 84th Legislature appropriated $20 million to the program put on by the Texas Historical Commission, which is accepting grant applications until 5 p.m. January 8, 2016.
The funds are partial matching grants, where the program matches a percentage of local funding. All grants aim to restore original architectural integrity as well as modernize the courthouses’ accessibility, security, infrastructure, etc. Three types of grants are being offered: planning grants for producing architectural specifications (33 percent local match minimum); construction grants for restoring and rehabilitating (15 percent local match minimum); and emergency grants fixing dangerous or critical issues (50 percent local match minimum). For more information and application instructions, go to the THCPP’s website.
The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program has funded the restoration of 63 Texas courthouses. According to the program’s website: “Not only is each courthouse lovingly restored to its historic appearance but each has been fully updated to the 21st century.” Nine additional courthouses received smaller grants for partial restorations/emergencies. Current grant recipients—many obtaining up to $450,000—are working on major and important projects, including Callahan County replacing its courthouse’s electrical system and old wooden windows as well as Karnes County replacing its courthouse’s old, mold- and bat-infested tile roof with a new slate roof.
More information available at thc.state.tx.us.