The Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown received the award for the Best Restoration category for the 2008 Texas Downtown Association (TDA) Presidents Awards Program. Since 1998, the Awards Program has recognized more than 100 projects, events and people that make a difference in Texas downtowns.
The Best Restoration award recognizes excellence in restoration of interior or exterior of an existing building. The restoration of the Williamson County Courthouse was initiated as an effort to restore the historic structure to its former glory as it appeared when it opened in 1912. The Texas Historic Commission awarded Williamson County a $3.75 million grant through its award winning Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program in May 2004 to restore the courthouse. Most prominent among the changes is the removal of the brick parapet installed in the 1960s and replacement of the original terra cotta triangular pediments and balustrades. In the interior, the famous 26th District Courtroom, where Williamson County District Attorney Dan Moody successfully tried the Ku Klux Klan in 1924, has been restored to a two-story courtroom with a balcony. Construction began on the project in January 2006. The rededication of the courthouse was held December 8, 2008.
The award was presented during the Texas Downtown Revitalization Conference “Creating Partnerships for Downtown” Awards Gala in Temple on November 13. Judging for the awards took place on Friday, July 25, in Austin. The distinguished jury panel included the following representatives: Scott Day, Urban Development Services, San Antonio; Carolyn Howard, Beaumont Main Street Program; Rich MacMath, HDR, Inc., Austin; and Stephen Sharpe, Texas Architect, Austin.
The Texas Downtown Association is a statewide nonprofit organization comprised of more than 400 members involved in downtown revitalization projects. By fostering development and revitalization, TDA strives to enhance the economic vitality of Texas downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts by providing resources, networking opportunities, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.texasdowntown.org.