July 16, 2020
The Bellville Times
PRESS RELEASE: BROWN FOUNDATION GRANT
The Bellville Turnverein Pavilion Restoration Project has been notified by The Brown Foundation that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000.
The Houston based foundation was founded in July 1951 by Herman and Margarett Root Brown and George R. and Alice Pratt Brown. Since its inception it has awarded more than $1.60 billion in grants. The Foundation’s mission is to distribute funds for public charitable purposes, principally for support, encouragement, and assistance to education, the arts, and community service. M.S. Stude, a Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation has been very supportive of the Restoration Project and sponsored the grant request. We are very grateful.
Tom Barron, President of Restoration Project said the grant will be used to fund Phase I of the project. Mr. Barron stressed the Restoration group’s appreciation of individual donations and other organization grants that have also made the Phase I restoration possible.
With the Brown grant and including a pledge received but not fulfilled, the Restoration Project has $735,000 to fund the restoration going forward. However, the project is still short $144,000 to complete Phase II, air conditioning in the hall.
PRESS RELEASE: August 17, 2019
The Bellville Turnverein Pavilion Restoration Project announced approval of Part B, Description of Rehabilitation, of their Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Application from the Texas Historical Commission. The approval states that the planned work as described meets the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, a requirement for expenses to be eligible for historic tax credits. The Commission had three minor conditions that have to be met that the Restoration Project says can easily be addressed.
The scope of work described in Part B included all the planned work except for air conditioning but does include replacing the hazardous natural gas heaters with electric strip heating. The Restoration Project is continuing fundraising efforts and is hopeful additional funds can be raised in the following months to permit including AC. Construction is scheduled to begin after the Austin County Fair.
Presentation to EDC- July 13, 2017
PRESS RELEASE- JULY 26, 2019
(BTPRP) has engaged Gaeke Construction as contractor
for the historic restoration of the Turnverein Pavilion.
David Bartay will be the Project Manager for Gaeke
and will soon qualify subcontractors and solicit bids for
needed services giving preference to local firms.
