Funds Available for Emergency Preservation
Work on Old Jail
State funding has been approved for emergency
preservation work on the Old Glasscock County Courthouse (locally known as the
‘Old Jail’). Alan Dierschke reported on the funding at the Feb. 8 meeting of the
Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court. There were 44 applicants from across the
state for the funds, and 20 were approved.
The local court has three months to accept or
reject the state grant, and six months to begin work if the grant is accepted.
State funds of $72,646 are supposed to cover
two-thirds of the project, and the county will have to cover the additional
one-third ($36,325) of the $108,974 project.
Dierschke said if the historic building is to
be preserved, something must be done about the moisture, which is deteriorating
it. He said the main problems are due to old mortar and ground moisture. He
pointed out that this grant is for emergency preservation only, and is not for
restoration. The local historical commission has been trying to get restoration
funding for both the existing courthouse and the old jail for several years.
Work Intended to Stop Further Deterioration
The planned work, which is intended to prevent further deterioration of the
masonry walls and interior plaster wall surfaces, would include: excavating
around the perimeter of the building and installing below-grade drainage to
extend to the street curb; removing all existing mortar joints and repointing
with new mortar; replacing all windows to match original wood windows; priming
and painting windows and exterior steel bars, including use of sealants, etc. as
necessary, and repairing or replacing existing steel
doors into building.
Dierschke said a contractor would need to agree to do the job for the stated
price with no cost overruns. Commissioner Jimmy Strube suggested looking at
contractor data before accepting a bid or agreeing to accept state funding.
Dierschke said a project reviewer from the Texas Historical Commission will meet
with the local commissioners’ court soon to discuss the grant process.
Commissioners tabled until a later date the question of whether to accept the
state funding and to proceed with getting the work done.