Wis. agency seeking gov. mansion kitchen remodel

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Wisconsin Department of Administration is asking the State Building Commission for $478,700 in general fund-supported borrowing for kitchen renovations at the governor's mansion.
    
WKOW-TV reports the request for the revamp of both the first-floor kitchen and the second-floor private quarters kitchenette originally came from first lady Tonette Walker.
    
The first lady and members of the nonprofit Wisconsin Executive Residence Foundation, or WERF, first pitched the idea of kitchen renovations to the State Capital and Executive Residence Board in September 2011.
    
The DOA request says the improvements are needed because the main-floor kitchen has not been renovated since 1986 and is used to prepare food for more than 15,000 visitors annually.
    
The request says WERF is raising money to contribute toward the project but does not give an estimate.