Background
As
many
of
you
know,
the
state
Capitol
building
has
been
undergoing
a
massive
restoration
effort
since
2013.
Significant
deterioration
of
stone,
risk
of
leaking
pipes,
lack
of
ventilation,
and
a
disorganized
proliferation
of
office
space
put
the
Capitol
on
the
path
where
it
would
eventually
be
unable
to
serve
the
public
or
the
legislative
process.
These
issues
have
led
to
a
massive
restoration
effort
which
spends
$272.7
million
on
a
three
plus-years
restoration,
renovation,
and
repair
initiative.
Interior
Work
This
is
the
first
comprehensive
preservation
of
the
Capitol
building
since
its
original
construction
in
1905.
When
completed,
this
historic
project
will
prepare
our
Capitol
for
the
next
100
years.
The
highest
priority
for
the
restoration
project
is
to
update
the
infrastructure
supporting
the
Capitol
Complex.
These
projects
include:
>
Replacing
corroded
plumbing
system
>
Updating
aged
mechanical
systems
>
Replacing
outdated
electrical
systems
>
Modernizing
technology
systems
>
Increasing
energy
efficiency
>
Increasing
the
amount
of
public
space
>
Improving
access
for
all
Minnesotans?
Demolition
of
interior
walls
to
improve
office
space
Exterior
Work
A
rapidly
deteriorating
exterior
had
the
potential
for
significant
life
safety
and
water
management
issues.
Exterior
repairs
will
minimize
marble
deterioration,
keep
water
from
leaking
into
and
damaging
the
interior,
and
ensure
life
safety.
The
exterior
elements
of
this
project
include:
>
Repairing
the
crumbling
stone
>
Replacing
deteriorated
marble
with
new
marble
>
Replacing
the
roof
>
Replacing
windows
with
energy-efficient,
historically
accurate
windows
Deteriorated
marble
fallen
from
columns
(left)
Newly
carved
pieces
to
restore
column
design
(right)
Cracked
marble
in
need
of
repair
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Project
Progress
Construction
began
in
fall
2013
and
will
end
in
2017.
We
are
currently
in
Phase
3
of
the
project.
See
below
for
a
description
of
the
four
phases
of
the
project.
Phase
1:
September
2013
-
Begin
abatement,
demolition
and
preparation
of
basement.
Basement
floor
demolished
Phase
2:
February
2014
-
Begin
to
procure
and
construct
mechanical,
electrical,
and
plumbing
infrastructure.
Large
areas
in
Capitol
closed
off
Phase
3:
June
2014
-
Close
and
repair
the
West
Wing's
ground
and
first
floors.
Close
and
repair
the
entire
East
Wing.
Preparing
rooms
in
the
East
Wing
for
construction
Phase
4:
June
2015
-
Close
and
repair
the
West
Wing's
second
and
third
floors.
Close
and
repair
the
entire
North
Wing.
**The
House
and
Senate
chambers
will
be
closed
during
this
phase**
Scaffolding
in
the
Capitol
dome
A
sequence
of
four
construction
phases
helps
minimize
disruptions
to
the
legislative
process.
It
allows
the
Capitol
to
remain
partially
open
to
the
public
and
the
State
to
continue
to
conduct
its
business
during
regular
legislative
sessions.
FUN
FACT
The
marble
quarry
being
used
for
the
current
restoration
project
is
the
same
quarry
that
was
used
for
the
original
construction
of
the
Capitol
in
1905.
Want
more
Information?
All
the
details
about
the
entire
Capitol
restoration
project
are
provided
to
the
public
including
information
about
public
access,
history,
plans,
pictures,
project
progress,
and
more.
You
can
find
this
information
by
clicking
here.
For
more
pictures
of
the
Capitol
restoration
project,
click
here.
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