The City Council voted to authorize the city manager to submit a grant application to the National Park Service's Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund to pay for repairs at two city-owned properties damaged during Hurricane Barrel: the Jefferson Theatre and the Temple to the Brave.

Public commenters, including Teresa Goodness and Kate Hambreit of the Jefferson County Historical Commission, urged council to support the grant application and explained the buildings' historic significance. "This grant represents more than emergency repair. It is an essential step in preserving a critical landmark," Teresa Goodness told the council while describing water intrusion and interior damage at the Jefferson Theatre.

Nut graf: City staff told the council the grant requires no local match and corrected an earlier memo on the Jefferson Theatre's status — the Texas Historical Commission's Board of Review approved the nomination in 2024 and staff said the property is expected to be listed in the National Register within about 90 days, a clarification that appeared in the meeting record before the vote.

Speakers at public comment described the Jefferson Theatre (built in 1927) as a cultural and economic asset for downtown Beaumont and described significant storm-related masonry and interior damage. Kate Hambreit gave a detailed account of the Temple to the Brave's history and physical problems, noting the building's leaded art-glass windows and the structure's designation as a recorded Texas historic landmark.

The council moved, seconded and voted to approve the resolution authorizing the grant application and potential acceptance of funds and contracts with the National Park Service; staff had recommended approval and noted no local matching funds would be required.

Ending: With the grant authorization passed, staff said it would proceed with the application process. City staff also noted the Temple to the Brave has an approved nomination with the Texas Historical Commission and that the nomination is in the federal review pipeline.