The county had hoped to be able to get the ball rolling in October for renovations to the Orange County Courthouse. The flooding from Harvey has put that on hold.
Commissioner Barry Burton has been working to get a Master Plan done and the renovations started on the historic courthouse. Burton toured the courthouse last week for at least six hours with a representative from HDR, the company hired to do the Master Plan.
Joining them was Brit Barr with the Texas Historic Commission. Burton stated the inspection of the courthouse showed the facility was severely damaged by the flooding. Barr and HDR made recommendations for what the county needs to do moving forward.
Since Harvey, Barr has visited several courthouses that were affected by the storm. Of the ones he has seen the Orange County Courthouse was in the worst condition. Barr has not visited facilities in the Port Aransas area yet which might have more wind damage. “But, of the ones he has been in he said that we definitely have the most damage and are the only one he knows of that we can’t even occupy the building at the moment,” Burton concluded.
Of particular concern was erosion that was evident around the foundation of the building. The erosion was especially noticeable near the District Clerk’s office on the west side of the courthouse. Burton said he could see the basement beneath the foundation.
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