Courthouse receives facelift
Examiner photo by Matthew Ybarra The Grimes County Courthouse has been a loved landmark throughout the County. The courthouse is undergoing repairs from damages suffered during Hurricane Harvey. The project is anticipated to last through May 2020.
ANDERSON- The historic Grimes County Courthouse in Anderson celebrated its 125th birthday this year, and now it will receive renovations to help extend the life of the staple in Grimes County.
Grimes County building maintenance manager Al Peeler stated the courthouse experienced some damage during Hurricane Harvey.
During the storm Peeler said the cupola was twisted due to the winds. Many of the windows also shifted and that combined with roof damage caused water to enter and damage portions of the interior of the courthouse.
Peeler said the repairs are projected to last till May and likely will take longer because of the care that has to be taken when completing a project of this magnitude. “The courthouse is a historical landmark so throughout the process all repairs have to be approved by the Texas Historical Commission. They monitor every detail to ensure the integrity of the courthouse remains intact,” said Peeler. He said even the paint of the bricks must be matched perfectly.
The projects are being funded through an insurance claim and a grant. “We applied for a grant and were awarded $250,000.
Among the repairs included in the project will be repairs to the cupola and metal louvers, windows, main roof, door repairs, adding flashing and gutters, masonry repairs and painting windows and doors.
Premier Metalworks LLC has an extensive history in repairing historic buildings and has worked on other projects that were monitored by the Texas Historical Commission. They completed renovations on a courthouse in Bosque County. Because of their experience they were awarded the contract to repair the Grimes County Courthouse.