Special Projects
One special initiative that has attracted significant interest in the Panhandle is the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Preservation Program. The Texas Courthouse Preservation Program, created in 1999, provided $50 million in matching grants to Texas counties for the restoration of historic courthouses. To date, the PRPC has assisted three Panhandle counties in developing master plans and writing grant applications that have netted the communities funds for courthouse restoration projects. Not only will this effort preserve these historic buildings for future generations, it will provide new jobs and increase tourism to historic locations, stimulating local economy.
The Planning Commission’s Regional Services staff also assisted Potter County in the development of an application for funds under the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TXDOT) Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program to historically restore the 13-story, former Santa Fe Railroad Divisional Headquarters Building in downtown Amarillo. The application resulted in a $3 million award to Potter County. In addition to $3 million in TXDOT funds, Potter County invested more than $11 million in County resources to convert the building into a county office facility and a downtown railroad museum. PRPC staff provided ongoing project management services for the $14 million endeavor.
