Texas courthouses – good source of construction opportunities!
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Texas is widely known for its beautiful courthouses. In fact, the state has some of the most beautiful and unique courthouse architecture in the nation.
As a result of restorations and meticulous preservation efforts, many Texas courthouses constructed in the 1800s are still functioning as centers of county government. Built in 1886, the Bosque County courthouse is one of the oldest structures and Cass County’s courthouse was built before the American civil war. It is the only continuously functioning courthouse in the state, operating since 1861.
However, many of these architectural treasures are suffering from the effects of age and are in dire need of attention. And, because county budgets are stretched to the breaking point, officials are looking for revenue options for the much-needed repairs.
Fort Bend County turned to a public-private partnership (P3) that included the county, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and a local nonprofit. The consortium worked together to rehabilitate the courthouse. The cost was $5.8 million – which sounds high compared to the original cost of $75,000 in 1908.
In years past, many counties relied on grant funding from the state’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. During the last legislative session, THC requested $20 million for courthouse renovations, but received only $4.2 million. That small amount of funding severely limits what can be accomplished. Currently, counties can only request amounts up to $450,000 and any funding granted would require a 50 percent local cash match.
Hidalgo County is studying a possible P3 project to build a new courthouse. The Edinburg mayor would like to see a private developer build the facility because he believes construction would be quicker and much less costly. The goal would be for the developer to finance and build the courthouse and then enter into a long-term lease with the county. At the end of an agreed-to period of time, ownership of the building would revert to the county.
Kleburg County is looking at a public-private partnership as either a way to build a new courthouse or renovate the existing one. The county needs private capital and county officials like the idea of having a firm design, finance and construct a facility that could be leased for perhaps 30 years. At the end of the long-term lease, ownership of the facility would revert to the county. The existing facility is facing electrical and plumbing problems and has structural issues.
Ector County voters said no to a recent $95 million bond issue that would have funded a new courthouse. County commissioners have issued a request for qualification (RFQ) for a building study that would offer the county other possible funding options.
There are many other courthouse projects in progress and/or under consideration in Texas:
- Jasper County has approved a $4.45 million courthouse annex renovation project. The annex will be expanded to serve as an emergency operations center, shelter and events center.
- A bond election for a new civil and family courthouse project in Travis County will be held. County commissioners selected the design-build method of procurement for the $284 million project.
- Voters in Navarro County approved a $7.5 million bond proposal last November to renovate the county courthouse. Officials are moving toward consideration of architects, financial planners and contractors for the project.
- An anticipated five-year, three-phase project for renovations to the Wilson County Courthouse was approved when voters OK’d an $8.5 million bond proposal last year. The courthouse is facing ongoing structural problems.
- Houston County officials are searching for funds for courthouse repairs that will likely cost at least $500,000. The county cannot get a cash match to make it eligible for THC‘s program.
Most new construction and renovation projects involving county courthouses carry hefty price tags. But, when projects are launched, the result is an abundance of new jobs and a definite economic stimulus to the region.
Mary Scott Nabers is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., co-founder of Gemini Global Group and author of 'Collaboration Nation.'
Contact Mary at mnabers@spartnerships.com.
