From our August 3, 2000, edition.

El Paso firm to remove toxins from courthouse

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Donley County Commissioners selected a firm to remove lead paint and asbestos from the courthouse during a called meeting last Monday, July 24.

Lead paint and asbestos abatement must be completed as an early step toward a $2.9 million restoration of the 1890 courthouse using a grant from the Texas Historical Commission (THC)

The commissioners’ court chose Sun City Analysis of El Paso for the abatement work. A contract with the firm is being negotiated.

“We’re going to have them finish up the bat guano removal too,” said County Judge Jack Hall.

A local man, R.B. Vorheis, will remove much of the guano in the courthouse attic prior to Sun City’s arrival. Vorheis had asked if he could have the guano several months ago, Hall said.

“He’s getting the equipment he needs to do that job now.”

Some of the guano is located beyond Vorheis’ reach in walls and chimneys, Hall said.

Bats have infested the courthouse attic for years, and the piles of guano are over one foot high in some areas.

The judge said Sun City will have to test locations in the courthouse for asbestos and lead paint and then coordinate with the architect before removing the toxic materials.

“The key thing is for Sun City and the architect to work together,” Hall said.

In other courthouse project news, architect John Volz says his company made the July 24 deadline for submitting design work to the THC.

As of Monday afternoon, the THC had not made any comments about the work.

The next deadline is for submission of construction documents and will be due in October.

Volz also said his firm has obtained samples of Trinidad sandstone – the same stone believed to have been used in the construction of the courthouse. But, he says, the samples are of a different color than the stones in the courthouse.

Restoration work will probably use a different kind of sandstone, but one which will match in color and be more durable, Volz said.

For more information about the restoration of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse, click here.