Opposition mounting against Texas Governor's Mansion addition

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Preservationists across the state are lining up against a proposed addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion that would significantly alter the landmark building’s appearance and compromise its historic architectural integrity.

Until the devastating fire in June 2008, the official residence of Texas governors had remained substantially unchanged since its completion in 1856. In recognition of the house’s status as one of the nation’s most pristine examples of Greek Revival architecture, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Texas Governor’s Mansion a National Historic Landmark, the highest level of significance for a historic property in the United States.

As part of the restoration of the mansion, the State Preservation Board chaired by Gov. Rick Perry is proposing the construction of an almost 3,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the house, stating the 9,000-square-foot mansion is inadequate for modern lifestyles. The proposed addition would be almost as tall as the historic building. In addition to changing the home’s appearance, the asymmetrical addition would eliminate the historic view of the mansion from the State Capitol and require the removal of a century-old heritage oak.

News updates

January 5 At a meeting of the State Preservation Board, Mandy Dealey, president of the Heritage Society of Austin, questioned the Board’s moving forward without public input, stating it set a very bad precedent that would reflect negatively on Texas when the National Trust for Historic Preservation holds its conference in Austin later this year. Dealey also stated that public hearings should be held on the matter before any further work is done.

Read the Austin American-Statesman's coverage of that meeting:

"Governor's Mansion addition draws opponents," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 5, 2010  (656k)

Author and historian T.R. Fehrenbach and former Texas Historical Commission Executive Director Lawrence Oaks also submitted an op-ed piece opposing the expansion to newspapers across Texas. Read that editorial:

"Subtraction by addition at Texas Governor's Mansion," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 6, 2010  (530k)

January 6 The Austin American-Statesman published an editorial opposing the proposed addition and reported that Gov. Perry said he would leave a decision about the expansion to the Texas Historical Commission.

The Statesman's editorial:

"Mansion expansion is blueprint for historical disaster," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 6, 2010  (494k)

The Statesman's report on Perry's comments:

"Perry: Experts will decide fate of mansion," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 6, 2010  (608k)

January 11 The Statesman reported that the State Preservation Board, which Perry chairs, was moving forward with plans to construct the addition without taking a public vote or holding any public hearings:

Unlike most state agencies, the Preservation Board in the past has completed some projects before the board voted publicly to approve them. Officials say that process is legal and appropriate ... Advocates of open government and historic preservation who already have questioned the addition say the process is backwards.

The Statesman's article:

"Work on mansion addition proceeding quietly," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 10, 2010  (851k)

The Houston Chronicle also published an editorial opposing the proposed addition, citing historic preservation concerns and questioning the need for a 3,000-square-foot wing on the 9,100-square-foot mansion, especially given the current economic climate:

In these tight-squeezed, coupon-clipping times, when far too many Texan families are making do with less, does the governor's family really need more? Shouldn't the 9,100 square feet that served Sam Houston and George W. Bush be enough?

The Chronicle's editorial:

"Plenty big," Houston Chronicle, Jan. 11, 2010  (375k)

January 14 Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has added his voice to the growing chorus questioning the controversial addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion. Straus, a member of the State Preservation Board overseeing the mansion, expressed his doubts about the board’s approval process and lack of openness.

Although the project is largely taxpayer funded, plans for the $26-million renovation of the National Historic Landmark are not being released to the public or the media. The project is moving forward with no public hearings and without a public vote by the State Preservation Board.

Straus cited recent renovations in the Texas House of Representatives as an example of his concerns. At its meeting last week, the State Preservation Board voted to approve the work in the State Capitol even though the project had been completed before last year’s legislative session.

In addition to Speaker Straus, yesterday six lawmakers representing Travis County as well as former governors Dolph Briscoe and Mark White spoke out against the proposed 3,000-square-foot addition to the 9,000-square-foot mansion. Governor Briscoe had previously donated $100,000 to the restoration of the arson-damaged executive mansion.

"Speaker, local lawmakers voice concerns," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 14, 2010  (846k)

January 19 The State Preservation Board has quietly shelved plans for a controversial addition to the Texas Governor’s Mansion. The Austin American-Statesman reports that John Sneed, executive director of the State Preservation Board, issued a brief written statement that the proposed addition “has been withdrawn from further consideration.”

The proposal to construct a 3,000-square-foot addition to the 9,000-square-foot National Historic Landmark mansion sparked intense opposition. The Preservation Board’s announcement does not necessarily mean the project has been halted. An altered version of the addition could be brought back for consideration.

Preservation Board representatives have not been available for further comment. The statement was released Friday night after state offices had closed; Monday was a state holiday.

The Statesman's latest article on the issue:

"Addition to Governor's Mansion withdrawn," Austin American-Statesman, Jan. 16, 2010  (597k)

What you can do

Contact Gov. Rick Perry to express your opinion about the plan at http://www.governor.state.tx.us/contact or call the Citizen’s Opinion Hotline at 800-252-9600 (in Texas only). Letters may be sent to the Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428.

Contact Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php or 512-463-0001. Letters may be sent to Lt. Governor Dewhurst at Capitol Station, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711-2068.

Contact Texas House Speaker Joe Straus to thank him for his stand on the Governor's Mansion and encourage him to keep pushing for an open planning process. E-mail Straus here.

Contact John Sneed, executive director of the State Preservation Board, to call for the public release of the plans and for public hearings on the proposed renovations. Click here to e-mail Sneed.

Contact Mark Wolfe, executive director of Texas Historical Commission, to call for the public release of the plans and for public hearings on the proposed renovations. Click here to e-mail Wolfe.

Sign the Heritage Society of Austin's online petition opposing the planned addition to the Texas Governor's Mansion. The petition is available here.

Thanks to all the GHPA members who contacted the Governor’s Office and the State Preservation Board regarding this issue. GHPA will provide its members with additional information as it comes available.

Photos: Texas Governor's Mansion (1856)
Before fire photo: mhowry via flickr (license)
After fire photo: Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund

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