Department: County Engineer
Department Head/Elected Official: Milton Rahman, PhD, P.E., PMP, CFM, County Engineer
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Grant
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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 $1,000,000, with a required match of $1,000,000, for the FY2024-2025 1910 Historic Courthouse - Round XIII - Emergency project.
end
Background and Discussion:
The 1910 Harris County Courthouse has encountered issues with slab-on-grade movement, resulting in cracking and heaving in the southeast section of its bottom floor. While these cracks do not compromise the building's structural integrity, they pose a safety hazard for pedestrians. A geotechnical evaluation revealed the presence of expansive soil, likely exacerbated by the original construction's lack of select fill and the use of uncompact soil and brick fragments, which led to high permeability. To mitigate future movement, replacing the defective soil with select fill is recommended.
Applicants who have previously received funding from the Texas Historical Commission's Historic Courthouse Preservation Program for a fully restored courthouse are eligible to apply for an emergency grant to carry out essential work aimed at protecting the fully restored courthouse or its occupants.
Harris County is seeking approval to submit an Emergency Project Funding Request in the amount of $1,000,000. The funding match of $1,000,000 at 50 percent, provided by Harris County, with reimbursement upon completion of the project. Match funding may come from various funding sources which will be finalized once the grant is awarded, and after funding has been reviewed and approved by the Budget department.
Expected Impact:
Submitting this project application will enable Harris County to address safety concerns and urgent service requirements, effectively reducing walking hazards and enhancing safety within the historic 1910 courthouse.
Alternative Options:
To not apply for the FY-2024-2025 THCPP Grant and pursue the prosed project with local funding.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
3/26/2024 |
#126 |
Approved - File #: 24-1622 |
Location:
Address (if applicable): 301 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas
Precinct(s): Precinct 1
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
FY 2024-2025 Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) |
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$1,000,000 |
$ |
|
Other |
$ |
$ |
$1,000,000 |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$2,000,000 |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$2,000,000 |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: April 23, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Ross Hosket, P.E., CFM, Env SP (Interim) Director of Capital Project Facility, Harris County Engineering Department
Attachments (if applicable): Grants Support Letter, Application Template, Project photos, and the FY2024-25 (THCPP) Courthouse Grant Application Instructions, Approved RCA_3-26-24 (FIM CC Approved)