Governor's Mansion Restoration Thread

[M1EK]

Anybody who is just now realizing that the state is an active enemy of urbanism and sustainability in Austin hasn't been here very long or hasn't been paying much attention.

[KevinFromTexas]

Work on mansion addition proceeding quietly
Despite lack of public vote, agency chief says state leaders have given tacit approval to get plans approved this month.

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Updated: 9:10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010
Published: 8:27 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010

Gov. Rick Perry has taken pains to distance himself from the controversial 3,000-square-foot addition proposed for the historic Texas Governor's Mansion, going so far as to insist that he has not been asked his opinion.

...

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-...ly-171457.html

[KevinFromTexas]

Governor's Mansion addition draws opponents
Historians, preservationists say plans would violate principles, alter view.

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Published: 11:36 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010

With a decision fast approaching on whether to add onto the fire-gutted Texas Governor's Mansion as part of its restoration, a growing chorus of state historical officials has joined opposition to the plan.

...

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-...ts-162740.html

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by The Lorax

Kevin,

Have you considered adding a thread on the proposed expansion of the Texas Governor's Mansion? I think it has a large impact on development in downtown -- part of the proposal is to close Colorado Street b/t 11th and 10th, which is a negative to circulation and to the human, pedestrian scale that we've worked to acheive in downtown. They've also moved the significant transit connection that was east of the Mansion on 11th, pushed those who use Capital Metro out. Obviously, it's a loss to sacrifice the architectural and historic integrity of one of our most historic structures (one of only two National Historic Landmarks in Austin -- the other being the Capitol). It also represents a policy of the State showing a deaf ear to issues impacting Austin -- they should be our partners in creating a robust, vibrant downtown, but they appear to be working against us.

Along with the restoration efforts, we can talk about the street closure plan here.

Did they really decide to move the 11th Street bus stop? That's ridiculous. It's not even that close to the mansion anyway. Not to mention, it's the busiest bus stop in the city.

[M1EK]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Along with the restoration efforts, we can talk about the street closure plan here.

Did they really decide to move the 11th Street bus stop? That's ridiculous. It's not even that close to the mansion anyway. Not to mention, it's the busiest bus stop in the city.

It happened quite a while ago - and yes, it was ridiculous. Perry just didn't like seeing poor/homeless people on his walk/drive to the capitol, IMO.

[KevinFromTexas]

Walk? LOL Yeah right. Haha

Anyway, I hadn't noticed. I haven't been by that bus stop or really noticed it in about a year. Honestly, it's not that bad. It's not really a hangout for the homeless anyway. Most of them congregate up and down Congress at a few places. And honestly, it's not that bad. There's a great view of the Capitol (postcard quality) just a short walk west on 11th up from the bus stop there, and I've never felt concerned about walking past with my camera around my neck.

Where did they move the bus stop to? What a dumb idea. That stop was busy because of where it was. A block or two in any other direction could greatly change the number of riders.

[The Lorax]

This is huge -- M1EK and The Lorax are in agreement!

The State Preservation Board in January of 2008 unilaterally dictated the removal of the Capital Metro bus stops that lined the north side of 12th street between Congress and Colorado, forcing the realignment of 27 different bus routes and inconveniencing 1,400 persons daily, with no formal or direct communication with the City.

[KevinFromTexas]

Addition to Governor's Mansion withdrawn
With little explanation, State Preservation Board says controversial 3,000-square-foot building no longer being considered.

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Updated: 1:41 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010
Published: 11:01 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

Plans for an addition to the historic Governor's Mansion that had created a firestorm of opposition in Texas were abruptly shelved late Friday by state officials.

With little explanation, John Sneed, executive director of the State Preservation Board, which was spearheading the project, announced in a three-paragraph statement that the proposed north addition to the 153-year-old mansion "has been withdrawn from further consideration."

...

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-...wn-181765.html

[The Lorax]

Thank God!!! Sanity prevails, for once.

[tgbAustinite]

ditto!

Originally Posted by The Lorax

Thank God!!! Sanity prevails, for once.

[KevinFromTexas]

Yeah, but someone on Statesman.com said it'll probably be back on the table after the election. That's probably true, even the article mentions this may not be the last we've heard about expansion plans. Honestly, I'm kind of indifferent about the expansion. While I don't think Governor Hair needs more space, there's little point in worrying over the historical appearance of the mansion anyway. I mean, you can hardly see it from the street anymore, and it's basically not inviting and is off limits to the public, even from view almost.

[The Lorax]

I disagree -- thousands tour the Mansion annually, and it's the oldest public building remaining in Austin. I think we take it for granted.

Building a truly great city, a vibrant urban core, involves a partnership between advocates for density and preservation. I often hear folks give lip service to preservation -- "yes, I support preservation, but only the things that are truly historic." It doesn't get more historic in Austin than the Governor's Mansion.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...nsion_mov.html

Four years after fire, Mansion move-back begins

By Mike Ward | Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 11:30 AM

Four years after an arsonist torched Texas’ historic Governor’s Mansion, specialists are poised to start moving priceless furnishings back into the newly restored showplace, officials confirmed this morning.

Gov. Rick Perry and his wife, Anita, tentatively are set to move back into the two-story Greek Revival house built in 1856 in late July. Since before the fire, they have been living in a $9,000-a-month rented mansion in the Estates of Barton Creek in far West Austin.

Allison Castle, a Perry spokesperson, said workers have begun hanging historic drapes and chandeliers in five first-floor rooms that will eventually be reopened to the public. The rooms will look the same as they did before the fire.

[BevoLJ]

Great, now we won't have to pay for that house anymore. Hopefully we can get him back in the Governor's Mansion and then promptly kick him back out in a couple of years.

I do notice they called Westlake "far West Austin" though. lol. That always seems silly to me when people say that. We aren't that far. It would be like calling Hyde Park or Allandale "far North Austin" or Sunset Valley "far South Austin". Anywhere near Research would be like Canada, and Round Rock may as well be living on the North Pole. Though that last one does have some truth to it. lol.

[KevinFromTexas]

Well besides it being goofy to call it "Far West Austin" - it's also not really Austin. It's Westlake.

And geographically, I actually live southeast of Sunset Valley. I've never really thought of my neighborhood as being "Far South Austin". Although, I guess in the 60s when it was built it must have felt that way.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...e-2402106.html

Governor's Mansion rises from ashes in grand style

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 5:41 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012
Published: 10:31 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The mansion's collection of furnishings — set to start arriving in moving vans today — features a writing desk once used by Stephen F. Austin, known as the Father of Texas; a bed used by Sam Houston, a former governor and Republic of Texas president; portraits of Gov. Elisha Pease and his wife, who were in office when the house was built; and a memento collection started in the 1960s by first lady Jean Houston Daniel.

Located on a knoll just southwest of the Capitol, the mansion has been occupied by 40 Texas governors and is the oldest executive mansion west of the Mississippi River still still used for its original purpose.

The mansion has been empty since October 2007, when a $10 million deferred-maintenance project began to upgrade plumbing and deteriorated infrastructure. The house previously had undergone an extensive restoration in the early 1980s.

Photos:

Governor's Mansion restoration, 06.20.12
http://galleries.statesman.com/galle...062012/#557412