Logan County gets update on funding options for courthouse renovations

 

[July 12, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

At the Logan County Board Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, July 9, the committee heard updates on possible grants to assist with the courthouse restoration.

Committee member Dave Blankenship, who chairs the Board’s Building and Grounds Committee, has talked to Representative Tim Butler, Senator Bill Brady, Governor J.B. Pritzker and a representative of Congressman Darin Lahood’s office about funding options.

Blankenship said he met with Representative Butler and Senator Brady to discuss the Capitol Bill. Representative Butler also did a walk-through of the courthouse on Tuesday.

Senator Brady would like to see a report with some estimated costs for the courthouse renovations and wants to know what type of monetary commitment the county is willing put forward.

A sizeable amount of funding is available to both Senator Brady and Representative Butler. Blankenship said if the county makes a sizeable commitment, and shows dedication to the restoration project, that may have an impact on what they are willing to give the county.

Blankenship wants the committee and board to come forward quickly with some kind of commitment to the restoration effort and they can report both that, and the estimated cost, to Senator Brady, who will soon sit down and finalize things with Representative Butler. Blankenship said things are looking positive as far as getting funding from them.

Blankenship said he has reached out to Autumn Jones of Representative Lahood’s office and they are looking into FEMA and IEMA grants for the county.

Restoration specialist Bill Walter and an attorney from Ohio are helping Blankenship look into historical preservation tax credits. Walter has dealt with the attorney before and there will not be any additional expense to the county for looking into that.

Blankenship is researching both non-governmental grants and governmental grants and looking into four to six grants, so there is a lot in motion. He asked the Finance Committee and Board to “reach for the stars” and make a sizeable commitment to the project. Even if the county secures grants, they will need to come up with some matching funds.

Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Ruben said Bill Thomas told him there is a grant available from the historic society for around $5,000 and Thomas has offered to write the grant at no cost to the county.

Blankenship said with some grants, they may need to be cautious because there are easements within that could tie the county’s hands on what can and cannot be done.

Brenda Clark, one of the board’s administrative assistants, said Senator Brady is looking more at restoration than historical grants. She said historical grants could help with some of the murals and refurbishing in the courthouse once repairs are done.

Ruben said Clark could help Thomas see what is available.

Several people from Atlanta were also at the meeting and when asked for public comments, urged the committee to consider other grant writing options.

The committee plans to have Clark further discuss the historical grant with Thomas, and Ruben said Clark may be able to write the grant.

Blankenship and Walter will continue to explore funding sources as Walter investigates what needs to be done to restore the courthouse.

[Angela Reiners]