North Carolina government says over $2.5M spent on mansion repairs

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state authorities has spent roughly $2.5 million on Government Mansion repairs throughout Gov. Roy Cooper’s tenure — bills {that a} state official mentioned have been wanted for important security, safety and different repairs for the over 130-year-old constructing.

The Division of Administration, which maintains state-owned buildings, confirmed not too long ago to North State Journal the overall expenditures and related prices on the governor’s official residence since 2017.

The Raleigh mansion, which first opened in 1891 and is a state historic web site, additionally capabilities as workplace and venue area along with offering housing for Cooper’s household on the second ground.

The constructing had water injury within the basement and partitions and wanted basis repairs and brick restoration, together with repairs to 50-year-old plumbing, division deputy secretary Mark Edwards mentioned.

“For a number of months, we needed to shut all the outside porches as a result of they have been unsafe for individuals to stroll on,” Edwards instructed WRAL-TV. The wanted repairs, after years of tight budgets, triggered delays for Cooper to reside within the mansion when he took workplace in early 2017.

The division declined to supply a line-item accounting of the bills, with Edwards citing the particular safety measures for the constructing.

However he mentioned every thing carried out was essential — with no “creature comforts or beauty adjustments” for Cooper’s household — and went by means of the required procurement course of. Appropriations in state budgets have lined expenditures over time.