OFM	355 ‑ Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
	Capital Project Request
	2017‑19 Biennium
	*

	Version:  BR 17‑19 Agency Capital Budget Request	Report Number:  CBS002
	Date Run:  9/8/2016   1:31PM

	Project Number:  	30000010
	Project Title: 	Historic County Courthouse Grants Program

	 Description

	Starting Fiscal Year:	2016
	Project Class:	Grant
	Agency Priority:	1

	Project Summary
	The current Historic County Courthouse Grants Program is requesting $3,983,193 to continue the historic county courthouse 
	grant program. The program is a match between state funds and county governments, resulting in each grant award leveraging 
	additional investment. This program has the strong support of the Washington State Association of Counties.

	Project Description
	The current Historic County Courthouse Grants Program is requesting $3,983,193 to continue the historic county courthouse 
	grant program. The program is a match between state funds and county governments, resulting in each grant award leveraging 
	additional investment. This program has the strong support of the Washington State Association of Counties.
	Funding the program at $3,983,193 will provide grant assistance to 16 counties statewide, as summarized in the following table:
	Adams
	$251,790
	Chelan
	$185,490
	Clallam
	$100,000
	Clark
	$184,583
	Douglas
	$1,887
	Ferry
	$123,750
	Franklin
	$21,976
	Grant
	$543,576
	Grays Harbor
	$322,850
	Jefferson
	$250,000
	Klickitat
	$400,000
	Lewis
	$230,000
	Pend Oreille
	$400,000
	Pacific
	$364,041
	Snohomish
	$227,250
	Spokane
	$260,000
	Administration
	$116,000
	Total:
	$3,983,193

	OFM	355 ‑ Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
	Capital Project Request
	2017‑19 Biennium
	*

	Version:  BR 17‑19 Agency Capital Budget Request	Report Number:  CBS002
	Date Run:  9/8/2016   1:31PM

	Project Number:  	30000010
	Project Title: 	Historic County Courthouse Grants Program

	 Description

	Funding the program at $3,983,193 will generate nearly $7,150,000 in historic county courthouse rehabilitation which will result 
	in the creation/support of over 240[CM2] jobs in the following fields: masonry (general masonry work, as well as masonry 
	restoration for bricks, sandstone, terrazzo, granite and other finish masonry), general and finish carpentry, roofing, electrical, 
	mechanical, plumbing, painting, window fabrication & installation (including restoration of leaded glass and other ornamental 
	window treatment), drywall, sheet metal, earthwork/excavation, crane operation, general contracting and engineering, 
	architecture and others.
	In 2005, the Legislature established the Historic County Courthouse Rehabilitation Grant program in response to a statewide 
	survey that determined 33 of the state’s county courthouses are of architectural and historic merit. These courthouses have 
	over $85 million of need in capital improvements. The Legislature allocated $5 million in the 2005‑07 and 2007‑09 capital 
	budgets, $2 million in the 2009‑11 budget, $750,000 in the 2011‑13 budget, $2M again in the 2013‑15 budget, and $2.5M in the 
	2015‑17 budget. Since the program’s inception, 96 applications have been submitted requesting over $31 million dollars. 
	Fifty‑six grants have been awarded to 26 counties statewide, representing an investment of more than $17 million by the state. 
	This investment has leveraged nearly $45 million in overall capital improvements through courthouse rehabilitation projects. 
	Sales tax revenue generated statewide through the courthouse program is estimated to be over $3.75 million.
	The principle problem being addressed is the physical needs of historic county courthouses in Washington State. These 
	courthouses represent the history of the state at the local and regional level. The State’s funding ensures that county 
	courthouses are rehabilitated or restored using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, 
	are ADA compliant, and are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Washington Heritage 
	Register. By investing in the historic character of county courthouses, the state prolongs the useable life of the facility, 
	acknowledges the rich history of the state’s local government, saves significant buildings from demolition by neglect and reuses 
	existing resources in a sustainable manner. Preservation and reuse of historic buildings reduces resource and material 
	consumption, puts less waste in landfills, and consumes less energy than demolishing buildings. Investment in the continued 
	use of civic buildings is an investment in sustainability. Historic preservation means environmental, cultural and economic 
	benefits for Washington communities.
	Continued funding of this grant program will increase the number and scale of historic county courthouse rehabilitation projects, 
	enrich the heritage resource inventory of the state and ensure the survival of historic county courthouses. Investing in 
	preservation projects has a significant positive impact on local economies through job creation, increased tax revenue and 
	heritage tourism. Funding stimulates local economies, creates jobs in the construction field, increases the historic preservation 
	profile of the state, and prevents demolition and waste. As historic preservation tends to be detailed work, the majority of the 
	material and labor is local. Furthermore, preservation projects are typically labor intensive rather than materials intensive, 
	resulting in a larger proportion of expenditures committed to hiring local workers than with new construction projects. This 
	program acknowledges the importance of the history of local government in Washington.
	Funding also results in increased energy efficiency for historic courthouses, enabling them to better perform in terms of energy 
	use. Retrofitting existing courthouses with energy efficient systems is a far better alternative to constructing a new building. A 
	new building, even one with the highest efficiency performance ratings possible, still consumes a tremendous amount of energy 
	during construction. Rehabilitation of existing courthouses retains and harnesses all of the energy utilized in the original 
	construction of these courthouses.
	This grant program is one of DAHP’s flagship preservation programs. This is the only source of state funding readily available 
	specifically for historic county courthouses. The extremely competitive Heritage Capital Project Funds grants program through 
	the Washington State Historical Society is available for courthouse projects, but competition with other arts and heritage 
	projects makes awarding funds to courthouses difficult. A dedicated source of funding to historic county courthouses is 
	important because of the unique nature of the historic resources and the need to ensure historic preservation standards are 
	maintained. The program supports all three of the agency’s goals as outlined in the Statewide Preservation Plan, 2014‑2019.
	What opportunity or problem is driving this request?
	The problem driving this request is the millions of dollars required to properly restore and rehabilitate the state’s historic county 
	courthouses, particularly during a time of economic difficulty. Due to the cost and logistical challenges of historic rehabilitation, 
	preservation is often de‑incentivized and important resources like courthouses fall into disrepair. Additionally, more recent 
	needs related to security and social justice require counties to find creative solutions for making courthouses safe and 
	accessible to all. The same holds true for energy efficiency. It can be a difficult design problem to replace outdated mechanical 

	OFM	355 ‑ Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
	Capital Project Request
	2017‑19 Biennium
	*

	Version:  BR 17‑19 Agency Capital Budget Request	Report Number:  CBS002
	Date Run:  9/8/2016   1:31PM

	Project Number:  	30000010
	Project Title: 	Historic County Courthouse Grants Program

	 Description
	and electrical equipment with updated, high‑performing systems without impacting historic features. The courthouse grant 
	program creates case studies in sustainability as projects improve building performance while enhancing historic and 
	architectural character.
	It is imperative that courthouses implement these solutions in a manner compatible with their significant historic character. 
	These buildings, when no longer in use as courthouses, can still be important tools in community revitalization, especially when 
	adaptively reused. Investment in these structures encourages communities to think creatively about the use of their historic 
	assets in community planning and their response to sustainability goals and principles. Many of the courthouses are in 
	downtown areas so their continued existence is critical for the locally based surrounding businesses.
	Historic preservation is a proven strategy that encourages economic growth, increases energy efficiency and reduces carbon 
	emissions. Historic preservation supports locally based jobs and companies. It increases tax revenue for the state and local 
	communities through local sales. Historic preservation also supports heritage tourism efforts. As historic country courthouses 
	are located in 33 out of 39 counties, a grants program has the ability to bring local economic stimulus through preservation to 
	almost every part of the state.
	How does the project support the agency and statewide results?
	The program directly supports the state’s economy by stimulating local economies throughout the state through job creation, 
	increased tax revenue, reduced energy consumption and increased tourism.
	This project supports the agency’s mission to combine historic preservation with economic development. According to the 
	Washington State Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation Study, every $1 million spent on historic rehabilitation creates 28 
	jobs. Funding this program will assist the agricultural economy and create local income multipliers by keeping work in the 
	affected county. The state’s sustainability initiatives are also served by this program, as the grants provide incentives for the 
	maintenance and increased energy efficiency of historic buildings, a green practice. Rehabilitation reduces the waste stream to 
	landfills and promotes the recycling of existing structures. Historic county courthouse rehabilitation supports two DAHP 
	activities: preserving and enhancing historic places and protecting archaeological and cultural resources.
	This project meets all of the goals in the Washington State Historic Preservation Plan, including:
	   ·Revitalize communities by actively engaging historic preservation with other forces shaping our environment.
	   ·Engage a broad spectrum of the public in preservation by improving access to information.
	   ·Strengthen policies and planning processes to enhance informed decision‑making for managing historic and cultural 
	resources.
	This program directly fulfills the statewide strategy of improving cultural and recreational opportunities throughout the state. The 
	agency’s strategy is to preserve and protect cultural and recreational opportunities through three activities. Each of these 
	activities is enhanced by this program:
	   ·Preserving and enhancing historic places through county courthouse preservation
	   ·Creating and managing cultural resource data through extensive documentation of county courthouses
	   ·Protecting archaeological and/or historic resources by preventing the loss of valuable structures
	What are the specific benefits of this project?
	Investment in historic preservation has significant positive economic impacts. It creates locally based jobs, circulates 
	expenditures within the local economy, increases tax revenue, decreases energy consumption and encourages tourism. These 
	local jobs would be created throughout the state. The accrued effect of many courthouse repairs increases Washington’s status 
	as a heritage tourism destination, increasing tourism across the state as a whole.
	The grant program will directly purchase $3,983,193 in repairs and rehabilitation for historic county courthouses. As a matching 
	grant program, an additional $3,983,193 in repairs and rehabilitation will be invested by other parties, resulting in a total 
	investment of nearly $7,150,000. These repairs will increase the useable life of historic county courthouses, improve economic 
	activity in the area, preserve the state’s local government functions and enhance Washington’s heritage profile.
	A study on county courthouses in 2005 identified over $90 million in repairs needed by historic county courthouses in the state. 
	This project will directly help alleviate that need. There are 33 historic county courthouses distributed nearly evenly throughout 
	the state. These grants make rehabilitation of these properties a viable option, extending the useable life of historic structures, 
	and affirming the state’s commitment to protecting cultural resources.
	How will clients be affected and services changed if this project is funded?
	Continued funding of this grant program will have a positive effect on the many involved clients. Grants leverage matching 
	dollars and significantly improve the condition of county courthouses, which are highly visible civil icons and sources of civic 
	pride. The Washington State Association of Counties has made this program a priority for continuation.
	The local economies receiving these grants experience a financial improvement due to job creation, sales tax revenues, and 

	OFM	355 ‑ Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
	Capital Project Request
	2017‑19 Biennium
	*

	Version:  BR 17‑19 Agency Capital Budget Request	Report Number:  CBS002
	Date Run:  9/8/2016   1:31PM

	Project Number:  	30000010
	Project Title: 	Historic County Courthouse Grants Program

	 Description
	increased tourism. The majority of the building supplies for preservation projects are locally sourced, while rehabilitation 
	projects are more labor intensive, drawing largely from the local workforce. These attributes amplify the local effect of the 
	preservation grants.
	DAHP contracts for the administration of these grants. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has done this work at 
	minimal cost. Administrative costs for the 2017‑19 biennium are anticipated to be $116,000. This project will allow for the 
	continuation of existing services without adding additional FTEs.
	How will the other state programs or units of government be affected if this project is funded?
	In cases where county courthouses are still active government buildings, this program can be a capital improvement to those 
	facilities. This program does not directly affect other state units of government. But this program can be used in conjunction with 
	Energy Efficiency grants through the Department of Commerce. This provides counties an opportunity to couple courthouse 
	grants with energy efficiency grants, resulting in a more comprehensive rehabilitation project. In this way, the courthouse 
	program facilitates the use of other state incentive programs. In every case, grants help stimulate local government by 
	increasing tax revenues and tourism.
	This program is central to DAHP’s functions and is one of the agency’s flagship expenditure programs. This program 
	supplements the Heritage Capital Grants Program run by the Washington State Historical Society and the Heritage Barn Grants 
	program run by DAHP to provide the majority of preservation grant funding in the state. It supports heritage tourism within 
	participating Main Street communities, as many county courthouses are located in communities with active Main Street 
	programs.  It will improve economic activity in many government jurisdictions.
	What is the impact on the state operating budget? 

	The request will have no impact upon the state operating budget.
	Why is this the best option or alternative?
	There are three alternatives to funding this project.
	· The first is to fund at this level but require DAHP to administer it with an FTE. This would be more expensive than the current 
	program because of the cost of an additional FTE.
	· The second alternative is to fund this program at a reduced amount. This would lower the amount of grants awarded in the 
	program and the amount of matching funds. Fewer grants would be awarded, with priority going to those counties at the top of 
	the table provided above. The net effect would be the reduction of preservation efforts in the state, the potential loss of 
	important heritage resources and the creation of fewer local jobs.
	· The third alternative is to not fund this project. This would end the statewide program to protect and preserve heritage icons of 
	local government. There would be no job creation, no local benefit, and no increase in energy efficiently. Courthouses would 
	continue to suffer from benign neglect creating great funding requirements in the future.
	This cost is consistent with other preservation grants programs.
	What is the agency’s proposed funding strategy for the project?
	The agency proposes a $3,983,193 capital appropriation for the historic country courthouse program. A capital fund 
	appropriation is the only viable financing option. The state’s investment is matched. In‑kind materials and labor count towards 
	the match.

	Location
	City:  Statewide	County:  Statewide	Legislative District:  098

	Project Type
	Grants

	OFM	355 ‑ Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
	Capital Project Request
	2017‑19 Biennium
	*

	Version:  BR 17‑19 Agency Capital Budget Request	Report Number:  CBS002
	Date Run:  9/8/2016   1:31PM

	Project Number:  	30000010
	Project Title: 	Historic County Courthouse Grants Program

	 Description

	Grant Recipient Organization:	 County Courthouses still in operation
	RCW that establishes grant:	 27.34
	Application process used
	These courthouses represent the history of the state at the local and regional level. The State’s funding ensures that county 
	courthouses are rehabilitated or restored using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, 
	are ADA compliant, and are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Washington Heritage 
	Register. By investing in the historic character of county courthouses, the state prolongs the useable life of the facility, 
	acknowledges the rich history of the state’s local government, saves significant buildings from demolition by neglect and reuses 
	existing resources in a sustainable manner.

	Growth Management impacts
	None

	 Funding

	Expenditures 	2017‑19 Fiscal Period
	Acct 	Estimated 	Prior 	Current 	New 
	Code	Account Title	Total	Biennium	Biennium	Reapprops	Approps

	057‑1	State Bldg Constr‑State	 16,883,000 	 734,000 	 1,766,000 	 3,983,000 
	Total	 16,883,000 	 0 	 734,000 	 1,766,000 	 3,983,000 

	Future Fiscal Periods
	2019‑21	2021‑23	2023‑25	2025‑27
	057‑1	State Bldg Constr‑State	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 
	Total	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 	 2,600,000 

	 Operating Impacts

	No Operating Impact

	Parameter	Entered As	Interpreted As
	Biennium	2017‑19	2017‑19
	Agency	355	355
	Version	BR‑A	BR‑A
	Project Classification	*	All Project Classifications
	Capital Project Number	30000010	30000010
	Sort Order	Project Priority	Priority
	Include Page Numbers	Y	Yes
	For Word or Excel	Y	Y
	User Group	Agency Budget	Agency Budget
	User Id	*	All User Ids