Funding request for governor's mansion withdrawn

MADISON (AP) -- Money to pay for a $478,000 renovation project at the governor's mansion will be sought through private donations instead of taxpayer funds as originally proposed.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration says Wednesday the nonprofit Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation will seek private donations for the project.

The funding request was removed from Wednesday's agenda for the State Building Commission, although Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch says it will return if enough donations cannot be raised.

The project includes renovation of the first-floor kitchen, as well as the private quarters kitchenette on the second floor. The main kitchen was last renovated in 1986, while the residential kitchen on the second floor has not been renovated since the late 1960s.