Randall County Texas Seeks to Demolish Historic 1909 Courthouse Despite Funds for Restoration Being Raised November 4 Ballot Issue in Randall County to decide fate of historic 1909 Randall County Courthouse. RANDALL COUNTY, Texas, Oct. 27, 2009 /PR Newswire/ -- Findings from a volunteer committee support restoration of the historic 1909 Randall County Courthouse, an issue on the November 4 ballot, according to Mark Wilson with the Committee for Randall County Courthouse Restoration, which consists of attorneys, accountants, bankers, a retired professor in marketing and finance and others. "After thorough study we have found that the cost to the taxpayers to renovate the outside of the courthouse would be roughly $640,000," said Wilson. "Total cost for the exterior renovation would be approximately $3.1 million; however, we already have over $2.5 million raised in grants and donations. The taxpayers would only be making up the difference." "It will cost the taxpayers less to restore the exterior and clock tower than it will to tear down the courthouse," he noted. According to the committee's findings, demolition would cost the taxpayers over $653,000, including the cost of asbestos abatement, contractual obligations to remove the courthouse from the historic register, clean up, dirt work, and site preparation for future usage. "It really should have never been put on the ballot with funding being so close to meeting restoration needs," commented Wilson. Wilson said it's important for voters to know that they are only approving phase one of the project to renovate the outside of the historic courthouse. "By restoring this valuable piece of our history, we will be utilizing rather than giving up $2.5 million in grants and donations raised by our citizens, and we will stay in the Texas Courthouse Preservation Program, remaining eligible for future grants for interior restoration of over $4 million." "If the voters approve the resolution for the restoration of the exterior of the courthouse," explained Wilson, "the county will not be obligated to finish the total interior restoration if it is not practical to do so. The only obligation for the county will be to maintain the exterior restoration. If the measure is not approved, the funding will be lost and the courthouse will be torn down to a vacant lot which is a historic and economic loss. Since the state instituted restoration of all courthouses, no other courthouse in the state has been destroyed." Built in 1909, the Randall County Courthouse will celebrate its 100th birthday next year. The courthouse was the birthplace of West Texas A&M University, hosting the first classes there on September 10, 1910. "The restored courthouse would stimulate additional restoration activities and economic development," commented Wilson, "as well as bring in dollars from tourism." He added that the courthouse also serves as the site for several community events, including Fair on the Square, WTAMU Homecoming Parade, and the 4th of July celebration. For more information on the Randall County Courthouse restoration or the November 4 ballot resolution, please contact committee member Mark Wilson at (806) 372-4120. SOURCE Committee for Randall County Courthouse Restoration