Arkansas’ Governor’s Mansion is in the midst of a privately financed renovation with an estimated cost of $592,000 for construction that started at the end of February and is tracking to wrap up at the end of April, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ spokeswoman said.
There were improvements that had to be made for the safety of Sanders’ three children, and the project includes renovating the upstairs living space and bedrooms, spokeswoman Alexa Henning said.
“This is the first time in decades young children have lived in the mansion,” Henning said last week in a statement responding to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s questions about the need for the renovation and the scope of the project.
The Governor’s Mansion Association is paying for the cost of the renovation with zero cost to the taxpayer, Henning said.
The renovation’s estimated cost is $592,000 for construction, with Baldwin & Shell Construction Co. as the contractor, she said.
“The Governor and First Gentleman reviewed multiple bids and selected the lowest out of the options and most efficient for the renovation, which will come at zero cost to taxpayers,” Henning said.
Baldwin & Shell has completed a number of projects at the Governor’s Mansion in the past, and “we know they will do a great job,” she said.
Asked whether one person and/or company or multiple people and/or companies are contributing money to cover the cost of the renovation, Henning replied in her statement, “Funding for this is provided by private donations received to the Governor’s Mansion Association, a group that is committed to the preservation of the home used by Arkansas’ governors to live and welcome Arkansans.”
Sanders is the daughter of Mike Huckabee, who served as the state’s governor from July 1996 until 2007. She is a former White House press secretary for former President