Courthouse restoration grant approved by THC

By Linda Perkins

Anvil Herald reporter

During its quarterly meeting July 31 in San Angelo, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) announced grant recipients for Round XIV of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP).

Medina County was among the counties awarded a THC matching grant after submitting its application in May.

In a congratulatory letter to Medina County Judge Keith Lutz, THC announced its vote to award THCPP funding for the restoration of the Medina County Courthouse. 

According to the letter, “Competition for grants in Round XIV was challenging, due in part to increasing project costs and limited grant funding.

“Your project was among those selected to receive a Full Restoration Grant to accomplish a specific scope of work, including planning if you’re not already ‘shovel ready.’ The award for your project is $10,000,000 and requires a minimum match from Medina County of $9,590,667.

“With these state funds,  you will positively impact your community by revitalizing a historic part of your county, bolstering pride through the restoration of a treasured landmark and creating a safer, more functional building to serve its citizens.

In an interview after Judge Lutz received THC’s announcement, he said, “I was excited to receive notification that Medina County was one of seven counties in the State of Texas to receive a $10 million grant for a full restoration of one of the most iconic, historic buildings in the country,” said Medina County Judge Keith Lutz. 

“This is a project that is over 18 years in the making, initially led by former County Judge James Barden,” Judge Lutz continued. “We applied for the grant two years ago, but were unsuccessful at that time.

“After receiving the THC letter, I called Judge Barden to give him the news, and he was ecstatic.

“The full restoration will be to the period of 1942 which includes the wings that were added during that renovation.

“I have personally been to three (Texas county) courthouses that have had full restorations completed, and it is difficult to put into words how amazing they look.

“We have had a tremendous team of people working on this for the last three years,” concluded Judge Lutz, “and it feels good to be one step closer.”

During Medina County Commissioners Court Monday, August 10, Judge Lutz said the county has already budgeted for the project’s matching funds.

THC’s next steps for the county include:

• a THC orientation webinar Thursday, Sept. 3 to discuss the full restoration process and the team members’ responsibilities; 

• the county’s  acceptance of the grant; 

• and signing of the program Funding Agreement.