Primary Department: County Engineer
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, ENV SP, County Engineer
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Application
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Historical Commission
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Infrastructure (Design, Construction, Maintenance)
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Office of the County Engineer for approval to submit an application to the Texas Historical Commission for grant funds in the amount of $1,148,482 with a required local match of $1,148,482, for the FY2026-2027 Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) Emergency Grant for Previously Restored Courthouse.
end
Background and Discussion:
The 1910 Harris County Courthouse, one of the County’s most significant architectural and civic landmarks, was fully restored and rededicated in 2011 with support from the Texas Historical Commission’s THCPP. Since the 2011 restoration, the County has continued to steward the courthouse; however, newly identified conditions now require timely intervention to preserve the long-term integrity and safety of the facility.
Recent assessments identified slab-on-grade movement on the southeast portion of the ground floor, resulting in cracking and floor heaving. While these conditions do not compromise the building’s structural stability, they have created tripping hazards and have been linked to expansive soil beneath the slab. To prevent further movement and ensure safe public access, the recommended corrective action includes removing the defective soil, installing proper select fill, and restoring affected flooring and finishes. Harris County is requesting approval to submit a THCPP Emergency Grant for Previously Restored Courthouse for $1,148,482 with a required 50% local match of $1,148,482.
Expected Impact:
Submitting this grant application will enable Harris County to address safety concerns and urgent service needs. The proposed project will also stabilize affected areas and prevent further deterioration, safeguarding the long-term integrity of the Harris County Courthouse building restored in 1910.
Alternative Options:
If this grant application is not approved, the proposed project will have to be completed entirely with local funds.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: H: Improve the condition and resilience of County transportation, flood control, and other infrastructure.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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3/26/2024 |
126 |
Approved - File #24-1622 |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 301 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77002
Precinct(s): Precinct 1
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY2026-2027 Texas Historical Commission Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) |
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Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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Total Existing Budget |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Other |
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$1,148,482 |
$1,148,482 |
2 years |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$2,296,964 |
$2,296,964 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new Position Control Numbers (PCN)s) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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County Attorney’s Office Legal Review (for Harris County Code Items only) |
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CAO Reviewer Name and Title |
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CAO Review Completion Date |
Click or tap to enter a date. |
Anticipated Court Date: 4/30/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Mike Etienne, PhD, Chief of Planning and Development Services, Office of the County Engineer
Attachments (if applicable): THCPP Grant Application Guide, Order, and Funding Commitment Letter