Anderson County approves $55,000 contract for historic courthouse master plan

Anderson County Commissioners Court approved a contract on Aug. 5 to hire DRG Architects to prepare a preservation master plan for the Anderson County Historic Courthouse and to submit the plan to the Texas Historical Commission as part of a restoration-grant application. The court approved an architect fee of $55,000 and a $3,300 grant-submission fee, both outlined in the proposal packet presented at the meeting.

The county’s presenter explained the new plan will update an earlier master plan and be prepared to meet Texas Historical Commission review standards. “It’s in the proposal…phases 1 through 4,” the presenter said, describing a phased timeline designed to reach grant-submission deadlines. The court heard that some rules and review processes have changed since the county’s 2001 plan and that the updated document is needed to pursue a full restoration grant.

Commissioners debated what work can proceed immediately. One commissioner said exterior brickwork, drainage and air-conditioning upgrades were urgent because water infiltration threatens the building’s interior and foundation, while staff described the courthouse’s stained-glass condition as an emergency that would take about nine months to restore. The presenter noted that county expenditures on eligible courthouse work can be used as local cash match for grant applications.

The court discussed timing relative to federal and grant deadlines and the availability of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. During discussion an official referenced county ARPA balances in two different terms, noting both "$920,000" and later referring to "a little over $800,000" as available to use as cash match. The court did not resolve that discrepancy but emphasized the need to move quickly to preserve matching options for 2026 grant cycles.

Commissioner Hill moved to approve the DRG Architects proposal and the grant-submission authorization; Commissioner Wilbanks seconded the motion and the court approved it by voice vote.

The approval authorizes staff to contract with DRG Architects for the master plan and to proceed with necessary steps to submit to the Texas Historical Commission and to pursue restoration grant funding. Court members said they expect subsequent steps to include engineering assessments (including for brick conditions) and prioritization of emergency repairs versus broader restoration work.

Next steps: staff will execute the engagement with DRG Architects and move forward on master-plan tasks, after which the court will review schedule and cost estimates for specific repair phases and grant submissions.