The non-profit organization charged with raising private funds to renovate the Governor’s Mansion is pursuing design firms to take on the $8 to $12 million renovation project.
Constructed in the 1850s, the Executive Mansion has experienced years of wear and tear. Until Gov. Rauner took office, there had not been a Governor living in the mansion for 12 years. Over time, the mansion has fallen into extreme disrepair.
A leaky roof, a broken elevator, dangerous balconies, basement flooding and peeling paint are just a few of the much-needed repairs that the Executive Mansion Association says need to be made. Since assuming office, Gov. Rauner pledged to not use the state’s scarce resources to fund the renovation project, but rather has sought to raise private funds, including his own, to pay for the project.
The Association said it will review applications for up to 10 design firms to take on the estimated two-year project to restore “the people’s house.”