Barbara Hoberock
Tulsa World
Sunday marks 100 years since officials broke ground on the state Capitol, with the state’s second governor, Democrat Lee Cruce, doing the honors.
Between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., he stuck a pick in the ground at the southwest corner of the property, said Bob Blackburn, Oklahoma Historical Society executive director.
“Thousands of people came that day,” Blackburn said.
State officials on Thursday outlined plans to fix the structure’s crumbling exterior limestone, outdated plumbing, and mechanical and electrical systems, and improve other aspects of the infrastructure.
“It’s ready for another 100 years of service,” said Duane Mass, Capitol architect.
Lawmakers and Gov. Mary Fallin last session agreed on a $120 million bond issue to make the much-needed repairs. Whether that amount will be enough remains to be seen, officials said.
Within the next six to nine months, officials should have a good understanding about how far the money will go, said Finance Secretary Preston Doerflinger.
Work on the outside of the structure is expected to begin by the end of the year or early in 2015, while interior work will begin next year. The project could take up to six years to complete, Doerflinger said.
Barricades were erected in 2011 along the south steps and scaffolding put up to protect visitors from falling limestone.
Mass deemed the outside as one of the most critical problems but noted the building has cast iron pipes that a person can put a finger through and wiring that has no insulation. It also has extensive water damage, he said.
When it was built, it had modern amenities, such as indoor toilets and electric lights, Mass said.
“This building ties us directly to our history in the state of Oklahoma,” said Trait Thompson, project manager.
Thompson vowed that taxpayer money would be spent judiciously and that the historical integrity of the building would be maintained.
Some agencies may have to be moved out of the building, but details on that have yet to be determined, officials said.
The Legislature meets from February through May on the fourth floor in the building.
The building also houses legislative offices, conference rooms and offices for: State Treasurer Ken Miller; Fallin; Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb; Secretary of State Chris Benge; and State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones. It is home to the State Election Board and State Ethics Commission, which have offices in the basement.
The facility is also home to an extensive art collection that continues to grow.
The Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals moved out of the building a few years ago.
“We can’t shut this building down,” Mass said.
