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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
May
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
WASHINGTON, 25, D.C.
DEC 2 71948
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Remodeling and modernization of the Executive Mansion
When the 1950 estimates for the Federal Works Agency were under
consideration a tentative figure of $750,000 was approved for inclusion in the
Budget as a 1949 supplemental for remodeling and modernizing the Executive
Mansion. This figure was determined without the benefit of detailed engineer-
ing inspection of the structure. Within the last two weeks it has been possible
to make a reasonably thorough examination and conditions appear to be far more
serious than originally expected. Commissioner Reynolds has now advised the
Bureau that at least $4 million wi 11 be required to put the Mansion in good con-
dition. This amount does not cover any work on the east wing, or new construction
at the west end.
The consulting engineers, together with engineers of the Public Buildings
Administration, have found that the interior walls have settled and pulled away
from the outside walls, and that there are substantial cracks in some sections
of the outer walls. They find that it will be necessary to underpin the outside
walls and to provide proper footings and foundations for interior bearing walls.
This will require excavation to a depth of approximately 20 feet. Such excava-
tion will permit the addition of a basement to the structure, a portion of which
would be used for the air-conditioning equipment. Everything below the third
floor, with the exception of the frame of the first floor, must be removed. This
will require the complete shoring of the first and third floors while the work is
being done.
The engineers have conferred with two reputable contractors, who confirm the
findings above.
Expenditures covering the work would be spread over three fiscal years -
$300,000 in 1949; $3,600,000 in 1950; and $100,000 in 1951, and are included in
the 1950 Budget.
Jane Director E. TROMAN Webb
SERVICE
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"ocrText": "EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT\nMay\nBUREAU OF THE BUDGET\nWASHINGTON, 25, D.C.\nDEC 2 71948\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT\nSubject: Remodeling and modernization of the Executive Mansion\nWhen the 1950 estimates for the Federal Works Agency were under\nconsideration a tentative figure of $750,000 was approved for inclusion in the\nBudget as a 1949 supplemental for remodeling and modernizing the Executive\nMansion. This figure was determined without the benefit of detailed engineer-\ning inspection of the structure. Within the last two weeks it has been possible\nto make a reasonably thorough examination and conditions appear to be far more\nserious than originally expected. Commissioner Reynolds has now advised the\nBureau that at least $4 million wi 11 be required to put the Mansion in good con-\ndition. This amount does not cover any work on the east wing, or new construction\nat the west end.\nThe consulting engineers, together with engineers of the Public Buildings\nAdministration, have found that the interior walls have settled and pulled away\nfrom the outside walls, and that there are substantial cracks in some sections\nof the outer walls. They find that it will be necessary to underpin the outside\nwalls and to provide proper footings and foundations for interior bearing walls.\nThis will require excavation to a depth of approximately 20 feet. Such excava-\ntion will permit the addition of a basement to the structure, a portion of which\nwould be used for the air-conditioning equipment. Everything below the third\nfloor, with the exception of the frame of the first floor, must be removed. This\nwill require the complete shoring of the first and third floors while the work is\nbeing done.\nThe engineers have conferred with two reputable contractors, who confirm the\nfindings above.\nExpenditures covering the work would be spread over three fiscal years -\n$300,000 in 1949; $3,600,000 in 1950; and $100,000 in 1951, and are included in\nthe 1950 Budget.\nJane Director E. TROMAN Webb\nSERVICE"
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