Capitol Beautification Committee votes to build new governor’s residence

(Pierre) – The Capitol Beautification Committee voted today to accept the recommendation of the Governor’s Residence work group which calls for building a new governor’s residence on the same site as the current residence.

“After studying all the plans and cost comparisons, the governor’s residence work group recommended that the most economical plan is to move the present residence and build a new one at the same location,” said Paul Kinsman, Commissioner, South Dakota Bureau of Administration.

The residence work group, made up of 27 South Dakota residents including several former first ladies and legislators, had been meeting since June and made the recommendation to the Beautification Committee.

The existing governor’s residence is scheduled to be moved in mid-November to a temporary, secure location in Pierre until a permanent location can be found.  “We have worked closely with the South Dakota Historical Society, the South Dakota Historical Preservation Society, the Pierre Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Pierre to ensure that the residence will be protected and preserved,” Kinsman said.

Construction of a new residence will begin in the spring of 2004.  The Pierre Economic Development Corporation (PEDCO) is the owner of the project and will lease the building site from the State of South Dakota.  After the new residence is constructed, PEDCO will assign the property back to the state.

The new residence will be approximately 14,000 square feet, with more than half of that space available for public use.  The square footage designated for use by the governor’s family is similar to the current residence.  “Lack of space for public functions was one of the biggest needs identified during this process,” Kinsman said.  The new residence will have a public meeting/dining room that will accommodate up to 80 people for a sit down dinner.  

The cost for the new residence will be approximately $2 million. Additionally, an endowment is being created to fund the ongoing maintenance and repair for the new residence.   “Funding for this project will come entirely from private donations,” Kinsman said.  A fundraising committee, headed by Paul Christen of Huron and Jeff Erickson of Watertown has started advanced giving fundraising.  

”We have already received several major contributions,” Erickson said.  An account has been established with the South Dakota Community Foundation to manage the funding for this project.  A statewide community fundraising campaign will begin in late November.

Brad Mollet of Mollett Architecture, Jefferson, was awarded the architecture contract for the new residence.  Mayberry Construction of Pierre has been awarded the contract to move the existing residence.