County wants courthouse collaboration

To make repairs to the courthouse’s interior, Jasper County wants to team up with the City of Newton to submit a grant application that would help pay for the expensive project costs, if accepted.

“This is going to allow us to work together,” Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks said. “…It’s mainly a chance for a grant to help us pay for the damage that is done to the inside of the building.”

A past tuck-pointing project exposed some areas of the courthouse to moisture. Repairs to the courthouse — including its intricate mural that has begun to peel — are estimated to be between $225,000 and $250,000.

However, if the grant is awarded, Jasper County would cover no more than 50% of the project and is responsible for all other costs and grant expenses.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved the pass-through grant agreement between the two governing bodies. A first step.

Before the city is fully onboard as the pass-through agency, the request must be submitted as an agenda item and approved by council members.

The Newton Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the proposal and is favorable to participating. Pending city council approval, the Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant would be submitted for fiscal year 2021.

Sparks said the HRDP grant does not cover generic painting, but it would cover any painting with stencil work, as well as scaffolding.

In the past, the city and county had successfully acquired an HRDP grant to provide funding for the courthouse clocktower rehabilitation.

The Jasper County Courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com