The Adaptive Reuse of Little Pioneer School Marks Anderson County’s First TX-PACE Project
The City of Palestine, Texas, is celebrating Anderson County’s first TX-PACE project, the adaptive reuse and restoration of the historic Little Pioneer School, originally built in 1948. Once complete in early 2026, this transformation will breathe new life into the property, turning it into a vibrant mixed-use development with office, housing, and retail spaces that serve the community once again.
“The Little Pioneer School project is about more than restoring a building—it’s about restoring purpose,” said property owner Kevin Fuhr. “This historic campus once served generations of families in Palestine, and now it’s coming back to life as a place where children learn, families gather, and businesses grow. TX-PACE financing gave us the ability to preserve the character of the past while investing in a sustainable, efficient future for downtown. It’s proof that revitalization and responsibility can go hand in hand.”
The Little Pioneer School project received $725,000 in TX-PACE financing from Imperial Ridge Real Estate Capital to support a wide range of energy and water efficiency upgrades.
Mark Boyer, CEO of Imperial Ridge Real Estate Capital, added: “Imperial Ridge is proud to provide both the primary construction loan and our C-PACE capital for the Little Pioneer School project. This is a perfect example of how combining conventional and C-PACE financing can bring historic buildings back to life in a sustainable and financially efficient way. We’re honored to help launch Anderson County’s first TX-PACE project and support the continued revitalization of downtown Palestine.”
Christophe Trahan, Executive Director of the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, shared: “The Little Pioneer School project shows how historic properties can once again serve our community’s needs while embracing the future. Through the TX-PACE program, we are preserving Palestine’s character and creating a more sustainable, vibrant city for generations to come.”
The 32,290-square-foot redevelopment will include a two-story daycare facility, chapel, office spaces, and seven market-rate residential units. The project demonstrates how TX-PACE enables older buildings to be modernized through private capital, reducing operating costs, extending the life of historic structures, and advancing community sustainability.
These improvements will reduce utility consumption across all uses, from the daycare and chapel to the residential units, while supporting long-term affordability and environmental stewardship in downtown Palestine.
Planned energy and water efficiency improvements include:
- HVAC upgrades
- Interior and exterior lighting upgrades
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Roof and wall improvements
- Window replacements
- On-site solar PV installation
County Judge Carey McKinney offered: "Anderson County is proud that one of our local property owners is able to utilize the TX-PACE Program that the Anderson County Commissioners Court approved several months ago. The court’s intent was to enhance economic development with financing and energy saving opportunities for our local businesses and community members."
As the Anderson County PACE Program Administrator, Texas PACE Authority (TPA) ensures every project meets the state’s rigorous standards for transparency, energy savings verification, and community benefit. Since 2015, TPA has facilitated more than $500 million in TX-PACE-financed projects across Texas, helping local governments achieve energy, water, and economic development goals, all without taxpayer funding.
The Little Pioneer School project represents a milestone for both Palestine and Anderson County, proving that even historic properties can embrace modern sustainability through private TX-PACE financing.
About Texas PACE Authority
Texas PACE Authority (TPA) is the nonprofit administrator of more than 100 local TX-PACE programs. TPA empowers commercial, industrial, and multifamily property owners across Texas to make energy and water-saving upgrades that reduce costs, benefit the environment, and support local communities. Working with local governments, lenders, and service providers, TPA has facilitated over half a billion dollars in new investment statewide.
