Governor's Mansion fire: One year later

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It has been one year since an arsonist set fire to the 153-year-old Governor's mansion. There are still no leads in solving the case, but there is now money to rebuild the historic home.

Through appropriations in the state budget of $22 million in general revenue funds and $2 million in donations from the public, the remodeling of the mansion is set to begin.

"It's hard to wait a year to start something you already know how to do," said the Mansion's restoration project director, Dealey Herndon. "But, it's very freeing and also very intense because it's like 'ok, now we know how to do it, we need to go in there and do it fast.'"

The state preservation board plans to restore the mansion to its original glory, with a copper roof, tall columns and a grand staircase. There will also be modern additions, like fiber-optic communications cables, energy-efficient appliances and wheelchair accessible entrances. The renovation of the actual mansion will cost $15 million.

Herndon said there is justification for the hefty price.

"It's a restoration project. You cant just go in there and build it; you have to preserve and the protect the things that are in there and we've been very practical."

Renovation is set to begin as early as this week, when the board will start accepting bids from architects.

Fire Chiefs' Plea to Perry

Using the anniversary of the fire as an opportunity to lobby against a bill on the Governor's desk, fire chiefs from across the state set up a press conference right outside of the mansion.

"We are here to ask Perry to veto a bill," said Austin fire chief Rhoda Mae Kerr. The bill would deny local jurisdictions the right to require sprinkler systems in people's homes.

"In the rich history of this mansion, there were several remodels in that it could have been sprinkled," said Kerr. "And, if it had been sprinkled at that time, we would not be here today talking about the destruction and loss of that landmark."

A sneak peek at Governor's Mansion grounds