Cost of Mansion Repairs Finalized

Lawmakers, in Austin, are close to hammering out a state budget that includes money to restore the Governor's Mansion.

Jo Ellen Claybrook and her 3rd grade class, from Hill Elementary, spent Friday morning touring the capitol complex. Its a field trip she has done for 15 years. This year, before reaching the Governor's Mansion, Claybrook, her students and parents were stopped by a chain-link fence. Barricades and a giant green screen also blocked their view.

"Very disappointing, said Patricia Vaughn.

It is part of our history that needs to be fixed, said Emily Shapiro.

If they could get to the other side, they would see black burn marks that remain on several columns and the front wall. A few workers were on site Friday afternoon plugging holes to keep birds and bugs out. As that job wrapped up, lawmakers continue putting the final touches on the state budget. They penciled in $22 million for the mansion restoration project. $11 million in federal stimulus money is being used to free up state funds to help build the construction budget.

""With the $22-million, we will be able to within that, definitely restore the house and the grounds, said Mansion Project Manager Dealey Herndon.

A few extra dollars may be included in a supplement funding package that's being debated in the Senate finance committee. Once lawmakers approve a final version, and the governor signs it, plans will be drawn up. Construction may not begin until October.

About $3-million in private donations may be used to help build a two story addition. Meanwhile, the Governor continues to live in a house near Barton Creek Country Club. The state is paying about $10,000 a month in rent.

Security systems are already in place, locking this area down. More equipment may be brought in as plans for the project are tweaked.

The night of the June 8, 2008 fire only a few cameras were working. One captured a blurred image of a person running from the mansion as flames reached to the roof. The search for the arsonist continues and by the first of June, the search for a lead architect will get underway.

"We dont want to waste time designing something and then have somebody else come in and say whoa, wait a minute," said Herndon.

Plans are still in play to close Colorado Street between 11th and 10th, as well as converting the parking lot in front of the Mansion into a court yard. But last minute legislative budget reductions could change everything. So, as project managers wait for the final dollar amount to be decided, the only thing green tour groups will see is the green screen that hangs from the security fencing.