> County seeks funds for courthouse<By <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]"><DENITA NASH</A> of the Gazette StaffLINDEN, > Texas-Cass County will continue to seek state funds toward restoration of > the oldest continuously operating courthouse in Texas, officials > say.Officials did not receive $1.4 million they had anticipated during the > second round of grants allocated through the Texas Historic Courthouse > Preservation Program."I thought we were in line for it, " County Judge > Charles McMichael said. "Hopefully we will receive funding during the third > round."Funds received during the third round will be approved next October > and are contingent upon money provided during the 2001 legislative session, > Cass County Auditor Judy Lanier said.Proposed renovations include replacing > the roof with red clay tiles or standing seam metal roofing. The latter > would match the metal roof dating from the original 1859 courthouse to its > 1934 reconstruction. Ceiling and flooring will also be restored to its > pre-1934 conditions while creating handicap accessible restrooms to comply > with modern regulations.About $7 million was awarded to 28 counties around > Texas during Round Two. Texas Historical Commission officials wanted to > award remaining grant monies to as many counties that they could.THC is > responsible for allocating courthouse preservation funds to participating > counties."We had an overwhelming response with 73 counties applying for the > second round of funding," THC Executive Director Larry Oaks said in a > written statement. "It's inspiring to see so many communities enthusiastic > about preservation. Our goal in Round Two was to assist as many counties as > we could with the funds that remained. The Texas Courthouse Preservation > Program was created in 1999 by Legislature. More than $42 million was > allotted to Texas counties over the past two years.During Round One, more > than $3 million was awarded to Red River County for restoration of its 1885 > courthouse.Among other business, commissioners are considering the purchase > of a building to use as additional office space for government > agencies.Officials say this is a problem which needs to be taken care of as > soon as possible. > >