Many citizens in Alabama were affected during the BP oil spill in 2010. At the time of the spill, the Gulf Coast was bringing in over $230 billion in industry and tourism. It also resulted in an environmental disaster, causing animals and sea life to die.

After the incident, Alabama received a settlement of $2.3 billion for environmental and economic damages. However, on December 30th, it was announced that they would use a portion of that money to bring repairs to a Governor’s mansion on the Gulf Coast.  This has drawn criticism.

The mansion has been abandoned since the building was damaged by Hurricane Danny in 1997, and all events that would occur there would be moved to the second Governor’s mansion in Montgomery.  

The house itself is in a total state of disrepair. Many of the local residents have complained to the Governor about the house and how it was dropping property values for the surrounding properties.

Although the house was obviously not damaged in the oil spill, between $1.5 and $1.8 million of the money received from BP is being used in the repair of the house. “The governor doesn’t want this property to be an embarrassment any longer,” said Jennifer Ardis, a spokeswoman for Gov. Robert Bentley.

It is not known when the project will be finished or when the renovations are scheduled to start.