RALEIGH — The administration of Gov. Pat McCrory has spent $167,000 on renovations and repairs at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, including the additions of bullet-resistant windows, gas fireplace logs and outdoor fire pits.
The Associated Press reviewed public records of 2013 spending at the historic Raleigh manor after the Republican governor was forced to scuttle plans last month for $230,000 in bathroom remodeling following public outcry.
Department of Administration spokesman Chris Mears said he could not discuss whether a specific threat prompted the March addition of laminated ballistic glass to windows on the mansion’s lower floors, citing concern about disclosing precautions taken to ensure the governor’s safety.
“Terrorism is a real and active threat,” Mears said.
A notation in documents obtained through a public records request indicate that the old windows were “not operable” and presented “a safety hazard to (the) first family, employees and guests.” The windows and repairs to woodwork on the mansion’s balconies cost at least $72,000, according to records.
Mears said a few windows in the mansion were previously armored during the administration of Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, who had been the subject of death threats
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