The Medallion, Volume 48, Number 5-6, May/June 2011 Page: 4
19 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
IP G AM gFOCUS
Conservation, Courthouses, Communities
Sustainability Plays a Role in Historic Courthouse PreservationCourthouse sustainability-an
oxymoron? How can old buildings so
steeped in the traditions and trappings
of Western culture possibly adapt to
cutting-edge technology designed to
save the Earth's resources?
Some would argue we must throw
the baby out with the bath-water by
sacrificing these community landmarks
to reach our goals of a sustainable
future. Yet each completed restoration
project throughout Texas proves
otherwise by giving new life to down-
towns and diverting thousands of tons
of demolition waste from landfills.
With more than 10 years of restor-
ation experience, the Texas Historical
Commission's (THC) Texas Historic
Courthouse Preservation Program
(THCPP) continues to integrate
modern systems and efficiency practices
into hundred-year-old structures to help
them last into the next century.
A total of $227 million in state
funding has been distributed to 82
counties to assist in courthouse
preservation planning and construction
projects. The number of fully restored
courthouses will total 55 by the end of
the year.
"Recycling these landmarks involves
much more than preserving pretty
facades," says THCPP Director Stan
Graves. "We typically replace every
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
system, plus improve accessibility,
security, and sound issues, to give the
county an efficient and comfortable
place to do business."
Replacing outdated mechanical
systems with high-efficiency ones
has been a key component of grant
projects since the THCPP began in
1999. Nearly 20 percent of courthouses
restored by grant funding have used
geo-exchange systems instead of more
conventional units.These systems, also called ground
source heat pumps, use the earth's
constant temperature to heat air in
winter and cool it in summer by
circulating refrigerant through piping
below ground. While the installation
cost can be somewhat higher than
other types of systems, they are
typically 40 percent more efficient
than many conventional systems, with
an expected longer lifespan. Since all
exterior equipment is typically buried,
courthouse squares retain a more
pristine appearance, with uncluttered
views of the building.
The federal American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA,
or Stimulus Act) funded hundreds of
grants to cities and counties throughout
Texas to improve energy efficiency.
THC courthouse staff reviewed projects
for 30 historic courthouses to install
new fluorescent or LED (light emitting
diode) light fixtures, replace centralizedheating and cooling units or system
controls, add "ductless" heating and
cooling in place of window units, and
re-roof with lighter-colored, reflective
"cool" roofing.
A few counties also made plans
to add solar photovoltaic panels or
vegetated roofing to flat roofs behind
parapets, out of view from street level.
Federal allotments and grants ranged
from $23,000 in rural counties to more
than $500,000 in urban counties.
Hamilton County took advantage
of both grant programs to fund a geo-
exchange mechanical system for its
courthouse. "Timing was everything,"
explained County Judge Randy Mills
about the experience integrating
the high-efficiency system into the
restoration project.
While the THCPP restoration
grant funded the bulk of the $6.5
million construction cost, a $40,000
federal ARRA allotment helped matchAbove: Ground source heat pumps, typically 40 percent more efficient than traditional methods, were
installed at the Trinity County Courthouse. Opposite page: Historic windows were repaired and upgraded
at the Hamilton County Courthouse.
www.thc.state.tx.us
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas Historical Commission. The Medallion, Volume 48, Number 5-6, May/June 2011, periodical, May 2011; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth309007/m1/4/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.