The Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Department of State, has administered the grants-in-aid program for the restoration and rehabilitation of historic properties. On July 12, 2012, Escambia County submitted a Rollover Grant Attestation and Application for the Restoration of the Old Escambia County Courthouse Phase IV.
On May 12, 2014, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners received a letter dated May 6, 2014 from State Senator Don Gaetz informing Escambia County of the Florida Legislature approval of a Historic Preservation Special Category Grant Award in the amount of $350,000. A dollar-for-dollar local match of $350,000 is required for this Grant to be awarded.
Due to the recent April 2014 event, the County is diligently working with their insurance carriers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) in quantifying the actual costs associated with this catastrophic event. With the many uncertainties as of this date and not knowing the actual costs that will be incurred by Escambia County, direction from the Board is requested:
A. Allocate $350,000 of local matching dollars as required by this grant application for award, or
B. Inform the State of our intention to decline the State funded $350,000 grant award.
History of this grant application:
The Grant was requested for the restoration of the Old Escambia County Courthouse to restore the building to the post 1900 appearance. The request included the selective demolition of the non-historic addition to the west elevation; restoration of west elevation windows, masonry, second floor courtroom, and basement archway and staircase; restoration of ceilings, finishes and trim; and upgrading the building systems and restrooms.
On May 24, 2007, the Board approved the submission of a Historical Grant Application for the Restoration of Old Escambia County Courthouse Phase IV, for the State's Fiscal Year 2008-2009 submission period. Due to the State not allocating Grant funds, Rollover Applications were subsequently submitted. The Florida Department of State informed the County that no funding was provided for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, and required the County to submit a new Application. On August 19, 2010, the Board approved submitting the new Application to the Florida Department of State for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. On August 4, 2011, the Board authorized a rollover application for the 2012 Special Category Grant. Since no funding was approved by the State for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the State allowed the County to do a rollover of our Grant Application to Fiscal Year 2013-2014 which was approved by the Board on July 12, 2012. The state rolled over the application to the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget, and Escambia County was awarded the Grant. |