Moving the Governor's Mansion?

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Though security surrounds the building, anybody who gets close enough can see the burned out Governor's Mansion has a long way to go before its ready to be inhabited once again.

The price tag on the renovation is an estimated $27 million and so far, only $2 million has been raised. That means the Legislature will have to pony up $25 million or the building will remain vacant for the foreseeable future.

Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, said he has a better idea.

"I think we ought to buy the Pease Mansion instead," he said.

Dunnam said the state could buy the Pease Mansion for a fraction of what it would cost to renovate the current mansion. It is appraised at just over $6 million.

"It is certainly worthy of a Governor's Mansion," said Dunnam. "Previous governors have lived there, it has the security and it sits on three acres."

As for the current mansion, Dunnam said the state could turn it into a museum.

"We could build a governor's apartment there, so if he needs to be closer to the Capitol sometimes, he can be," said Dunnam.

The Pease Mansion was built in 1853 by Abner Cook, the same builder who constructed the Governor's Mansion in 1854. It was initially owned by Texas State Comptroller, James Shaw and later sold to Texas governor Elisha Pease.

Four generations of the Pease family lived on the estate until it was sold to Texas governor Allan Shivers in 1957. The Shivers donated the home to the University of Texas and the state bought it from the school in 1997 for $2.6 million. In 2002, the state sold the home and land to Jeff Sandefer, who owns it now.

Sandefer is reportedly not entertaining the idea of selling the house back to the state, but Dunnam did not seem concerned with that hurdle.

"I just want us to have the option to make an offer," he said.