Cal Poly has spent more money on renovations for its on-campus presidential residence than any other campus with properties owned by California State University in the past decade, according to figures provided by the university system.

Projects performed since 2004 have cost Cal Poly $831,000 — 99 percent of it taxpayers’ money.

That includes $246,420 for upgrades before new Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong and his wife, Sharon, moved into the home in May 2011. The property is also used for numerous public events and was used solely for that purpose from 2004 until the Armstrongs arrived.

CSU campuses have in the past 10 years spent more than $2 million renovating eight university-owned presidential residences — rehabbing kitchens, expanding garages and even hiring interior designers, according to university figures.

At least half of the spending systemwide came from state funding sources, and the figure does not include annual maintenance and repairs. Read more at californiawatch.org »