Fannin County Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with the restoration of the historic Fannin County Courthouse and outlined the timeline for this long-term project at their regular meeting Monday morning.
Commissioners also gave tentative approval to a partnership with the City of Bonham that should lead to the development of a soccer field complex and the construction of more softball fields, although the agenda item was tabled until April 27 in order to research easements on the property.
A 4-0 vote to accept the Texas Historical Commission's matching grant and move forward with contracts indicates the Fannin County Commissioners Court has every intention of providing unified leadership regarding the courthouse restoration. Yet, all parties made it very clear that the final decision about what is best for the historic structure designed by the dean of Texas courthouses, W.C. Dodson, and completed in 1888 would be handed down by Fannin County voters in a bond referendum that may still be over a year away.
The Texas Historical Commission has offered Fannin County a matching grant of $400,000 to develop plans and specifications. Architexas, the architectural firm responsible for courthouse renovations in Hopkins and Red River counties, at first said Fannin County's share of the cost to develop plans and specs would be $893,000. Architexas now says their firm could complete the detailed plans and specifications in one year for $800,000, which means Fannin County would be expected to fund $400,000, half of the cost.
At the meeting Monday morning, Commissioners indicated a willingness to make the courthouse restoration a top priority during budget decisions over the next two years in order to pay the county's share to develop plans and specifications. Once those plans are in hand and an accurate determination can be made as to exactly how much the restoration project would impact individual taxpayers, then a bond referendum would be placed on the next available ballot, giving voters the final say.
"I feel we have no other way to go than to accept this grant," remarked Fannin County Commissioner Stan Barker.
The Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to pursue the restoration grant from Texas Historical Commission in 2002.
"Sometimes you have to stand up and do what you said you would do," said Fannin County Judge Butch Henderson. "We need to take the lead and show Fannin County there are five of us (the judge and four commissioners which comprise the county's executive board) out there supporting and selling the restoration project. Texas Historical Commission awarded this grant in good faith. By demonstrating our intention of progressing in an appreciative manner, we show our good faith."
"I commend the Commissioners for the action taken today," said Barbara McCutcheon, chair of the Fannin County Courthouse Restoration Committee. "Their unanimous decision to accept this grant tells me our commissioners have a vision of what Fannin County can be in the future. This is our last chance to have our 'Temple of Justice' restored. It is our duty, as citizens of this county, to do whatever it takes to get the job done."
In other business, a cooperative agreement between Fannin County and the City of Bonham may give area soccer fans a place to play and watch their favorite teams compete.
Although the agenda item was tabled in order to research easements across the property, the county has tentatively given their blessing to a lease agreement that would allow the city to develop youth and adult soccer fields on 40-acres of land just north of the youth baseball and softball fields.
Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander believes the site has the potential to be developed into a regional soccer complex than can host large tournaments. Initial plans call for about a dozen fields for children and two fields specifically built for adult competitors.
Fannin County Commissioners will take a close look at easements across the property and their final decision is expected April 28.