WOODSTOCK – Restoration of the historical Old Courthouse dome and front limestone stairs have been put on hold after the city was rejected for a grant to offset the projects’ cost.

The city applied for a Richard B. Driehaus Courthouse Initiatives Grant from Landmarks Illinois last summer to fund part of a nearly $170,000 dome restoration and $15,000 project to repair the stairs. Work on the projects tentatively was to begin early this year. It’s been pushed back indefinitely while the city explores other ways to come up with funding.

“It’s huge, because we were pretty optimistic after speaking with the representatives from the granting agency. We almost thought it was a slam dunk,” City Manager Tim Clifton said. “The decision-makers, as opposed to the staff that pulls all the papers together and makes the recommendation, decided otherwise.”