Perry rental home costs state $750.000

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the oldest home for governors west of the Mississippi, the Texas Governor's Mansion had its share of wear and tear. Built in 1856, the structure housed 40 governors and was in need of an overhaul by the time Gov. Rick Perry moved out in October 2007 .

Perry and his wife Anita packed their bags and headed to an upscale West Austin neighborhood - the Estates of Barton Creek. At the time, the rental they moved into was listed for sale at $1.85 million.

Since then, the state has paid nearly $750,000, according to records obtained from the Texas Facilities Commission and the Texas State Preservation Board – the two entities that have handled the home's finances over the years.

The 6,386-square-foot home sits on more than three acres. By comparison, the Governor's Mansion – with no rent or mortgage to pay – has around 9,900 square feet, though the Governor and First Lady occupy only 2,750 square feet of it. The rest is public space.

The West Austin home currently has a rent of $8,500 a month. That pays for five bedrooms, five bathrooms, four living areas, three dining rooms, and a pool.

“The Governor and First Lady are always mindful of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and have helped offset the cost to taxpayers by using non-state funds to help cover operating costs of the residence and mansion,” said Lucy Nashed, the governor's spokeswoman. “The state has also negotiated an approximately 15 percent reduction in rent at the temporary residence.”

However, in 2000, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee moved into a a mobile home on the grounds of the governor's mansion in Little Rock during more than two years of renovations there. Additionally, Bill White - Perry's Democratic opponent in the 2010 gubernatorial election - said, if he was elected, he would rent a place himself until the mansion was repaired.

In 2008, a still unsolved arson set things back drastically at the Texas Governor's Mansion, delaying the Perrys' return. The 81st Texas Legislature appropriated $22 million to help with further restorations after the massive fire damaged a great deal of the National Historic Landmark.

But in February 2010, state funding for the project was slashed as part of the 5 percent budget cuts for all state agencies.

First lady Anita Perry has helped raise private money – more than $3.5 million, so far - for the fix, founding the Texas Governor's Mansion Restoration Fund . Perry's office said the couple is looking forward to the project's finish.

Since dropping out of the presidential race Thursday, Perry has reportedly been back at his temporary home in West Austin. The preservation board said he will be living in the state's fully restored mansion once again by June. Finishing touches are underway now.

Since restoration began, Colorado Street between West 10th Street and West 11th Street has been closed. It will remain that way, even after the mansion opens back up, because it will soon be the site of a garden.