Merced Courthouse Museum OK’d for $2M renovation, as part of federal funding package

The iconic symbol of Merced County will be getting a $2 million makeover as part of the 2022 federal government spending bill recently approved by President Joe Biden.

The $2 million for renovations at the Merced County Courthouse museum is part of the $11 million Rep. Jim Costa, D-Merced, was able to secure for Merced, Fresno, and Madera counties under the spending bill, according to a news release from Costa’s office.

Board of Supervisors members Josh Pedrozo and Lloyd Pareira had previously reached out to Costa’s office, as the nearly 150-year-old building suffers from several wear-and-tear issues like growing cracks and bee hives, mold that is crumbling and windows that need repair.

The money will also help the museum continue its mission to serve as an educational resource and county landmark.

Sarah Lim, the museum’s director, said she is grateful to Costa’s office, saying the funding will provide “much-needed funding to help preserve our historic Courthouse built in 1875.”

“Generation after generation of our county’s residents and visitors have climbed its granite steps, passed through its grand hall, and visited the historic courtroom — some for business, some as litigants, and, more recently, as admirers of Merced County’s rich history,” Lim said in the release.

“This funding will ensure that our beautiful historic Courthouse will continue to be a beacon of wisdom and justice and that we are able to properly maintain one of the legacies of our county’s founders.”

Dos Palos also approved for funding

The Courthouse Museum is not the only Merced County resource that will benefit from federal funds under the 2022 spending bill.

According to Costa’s office, the City of Dos Palos will receive $279,000 to replace a water clarifier at the city’s aging water plant to ensure uninterrupted service for residents.

Darrell Fonseca, Dos Palos city manager, said the funding will allow the city to make repairs to its existing water system while progress is made on the construction of a new water plant over the next year.

“This funding, along with additional state and federal dollars already committed, allows the city to make necessary infrastructure improvements so that our community can avoid critical water shortages and contamination that shut down the water flow to homes in our community in recent years,” Fonseca said in the release.

“With this funding, our hope is that residents will have the assurance of clean drinking water as we deal with the fallout from the ongoing drought.”

This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 1:11 PM.