AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A year after an arson fire gutted the 153-year-old Texas Governor’s Mansion, investigators have no suspects, but the state does have nearly $26 million for restoration from private donations and the Legislature.
Dealey Herndon, the State Preservation Board’s project manager for the restoration, told the Austin American-Statesman in Monday’s editions that work is ready to begin.
The newspaper reported that officials hope this week to post the request for proposals in their search for an architect to plan the 24- to 30-month rebuilding of the mansion.
The Greek Revival landmark was burned in June 2008. Despite a $50,000 reward, there have been no arrests.
The mansion completed in 1856, just 12 years after Texas became a state.