AUSTIN (October 29, 2009)—Plans unveiled Thursday propose a two-story addition to the north of the Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin.

The plans, which were revealed to the Texas Historical Commission meeting Thursday in El Paso, are part of the overall restoration plans for the arson-gutted mansion near the Texas Capitol.

Project officials say the addition would make the home "more livable" for the state's first families and add much-needed space.

Project manager Dealey Herndon said the addition would add about 1,000 square feet of space, most all of it to be used as private quarters for the first family and would be connected to the house only by an enclosed walkway, rather than being constructed as part of the historic building.

The cost of the addition is expected to be about $1.2 million, which would be paid for through a private fundraising campaign that has been under way for more than a year.

A fire that officials say was set deliberately heavily damaged the mansion in June 2008.

Gov. Rick Perry and his wife had moved out for a $10 million renovation project to fix safety problems and structural degradation, and nobody was injured in the pre-dawn fire.