A Western White House for Arnold..(psst? Aren't we broke?)

[SoCalDem]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/state/la-me-mansion9feb09,1,370460.story?coll=la-news-state

February 9, 2004 E-mail story Print


'Home of Governors' Might Live Up to Name

First family is in talks to buy 12,000-square-foot mansion conceived by the Reagans, sources say.

HOUSES SACRAMENTO CA GOVERNORS PROPERTY SALES

SCHWARZENEGGER ARNOLD

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By Rone Tempest, Times Staff Writer


SACRAMENTO — It was Nancy Reagan's dream house, although she never got to live there. Jerry Brown called it a pretentious "Taj Mahal" and refused to move in, preferring a mattress on the floor of a small apartment near the Capitol. Three subsequent governors settled for more modest digs a few blocks away in the same Sacramento suburb.
But if the final price can be worked out, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, could call the 12,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom Casa de los Gobernadores home sweet home.

After visiting the Carmichael mansion four times, including once with her Los Angeles interior designer and another time with her four children in tow, real estate sources say, Shriver submitted a letter setting a price of $2 million for the home and five-acre grounds overlooking the American River. The current owner, according to the same sources, countered with a price of $3.5 million. The home is listed on the market for $5.9 million.
...snip....

"Maria says it looks beautiful," Schwarzenegger told interviewers Phillip Matier and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown for their debut Sunday evening program, "Live with Willie and Phil" for KRON-TV, although Schwarzenegger's statement was reported in a Sunday column by Matier and colleague Andrew Ross. It was not used in the broadcast interview Sunday night.Schwarzenegger, who since his inauguration has been staying in a hotel suite across from the Capitol and commuting on weekends to the family's Brentwood estate, has not yet visited the sprawling home with a swimming pool and cabana.

Donna Lucas, a public relations consultant who works for Shriver, said the mansion, whose name translates to "home of the governors," was one of several inspected as a possible residence. "It has several pros and cons," Lucas said. "But one of the pros is that it is a legacy of the Reagans." With the state strapped for cash, Lucas said, no general fund money would be used to purchase an official residence, but he did not rule out drawing from a special $3.5-million fund that was established with proceeds and accumulated interest from the sale of the mansion at a 1985 public auction. The money is set aside for the purchase of an official residence and cannot be used for anything else.

...snip....

Finally, the state gave up on the Nancy Reagan dream and put the mansion up for sale at auction, where it was bought by Palos Verdes real estate developer Matt Franich for $1.53 million. The home is now owned by his widow, Pat Franich Springer, who has it on the market for $5.9 million, but, according to listing agent Geoff Zimmerman, would be willing to accept $3.5 million if it is used as an official residence."It is the only place in Sacramento County that lends itself to privacy, security and at the same time is a lovely home for the governor," Zimmerman said. "There is simply no place else."

[GOPisEvil]

1. They want state funds to buy this place?? Am I reading correctly?

Arnold and Maria should buy the place and donate it to the state. Then, Herr Gropenfuhrer should submit a bill releasing that $3.5 million to the state's education budget.

/Political consultant for hire. :-)

[SoCalDem]

2. State funds were set aside a while back, BUT

with the state in such dire straits, the legislature should integrate those funds back into the general budget..

Arnold has "lots of money"..he said so himself...

This could be his legacy to Kelli-fornyuh.. Let him buy it, and then donate it :)

[AffirmativeReaction]

9. Excellent solution SoCal

You should call the governor's secretary & suggest it

[Wickerman]

3. Watch this, they'll buy

it - the funds were set aside for it - hard to argue. Should be put back into the general fund as the state is in crises, but, hey, when you have Republican in office they MUST be treated like the royalty they are...

The real cost is going to come in moving the bad actor and his family to Sacramento - several hundred thousand for some reason. Next, Maria will find that it isn't adequately decorated and none of their stuff works - add 1 million$. The security system, of course, will need a total upgrade - another million$. Next, the communications infrastructure will need updated - add a million$.

California, you are hosed again.

[beyurslf]

4. 3.5 million is about what? 10% of what he made last year?

Why should the state buy this place for him?

[zbdent]

10. How many cars is that?

Wasn't there something about a car tax repealed?

I think that 3.5 million is the number of copies of T3 were sold the first week of his campaign for Governor.

[tom_paine]

5. A Palace Fit for an Imperial Gouvernor

NO rude 10 room public dwelling for this Imperial Stooge.

Jesus, the Busheviks get more like the Soviets (and their Tsarist mansions for Commie Commisars) every single day.

[Semi_subversive]

6. There goes the neighborhood

I remember running some beers over to my brother when he was working for the plastering company that did this place. Great location, great views of the river, gross looking house.

[SoCalDem]

7. Here's a picture of it..

This home on California Avenue in Carmichael was built during Ronald Reagan's term. It is currently on the market for $5.9 million. At about a 30-minute drive from the Capitol, the house is considered too far away to be currently suitable as a governor's mansion.

[shanti]

11. ewww

it DOES look like a grocery store!

[cally]

8. One of the very few things Arnie has done that I don't object to

The original Governor's mansion, while very beautiful, just doesn't have the ability to secure a Governor of California. That mansion, if sold, would probably be worth at least $1.5 million and probably more like $2 million. For years, we've relied on Governor's who have their own wealth or ability to get contributions to fund these houses. One more reason the Governorship of California is restricted to very wealthy candidates or those beholden to special interests. I want a Governor's residence. I don't like the ostentatiousness of the Reagan's palace, but at least they are not proposing buying a new one or building one closer to the Capitol.

For those not familiar with California housing prices, a 2000 sq. ft home on a small lot that is close to the Capital can sell for $1 million. The house Reagan lived in while Governor is probably around $1.2 million at least. Add in a few more lots for security, and the price rises.

[Cleita]

12. The Ultimate Chutzpah.

I read the article this morning. Did he finds some money when he opened das buchs to fund this?

THIS CREEP HAS TO GO AND THE CLOWN ENTOURAGE HE RODE INTO SACRAMENTO WITH.