Oklahoma's 100-year-old state Capitol will be getting a major face lift under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.
Fallin signed the bill Thursday authorizing a 10-year, $120 million bond issue to pay for renovations to the building that was constructed between 1914 and 1917.
“The State Capitol is the seat of our government and an important symbol of Oklahoma,” Fallin said in a statement. “The disrepair it had fallen into was a black eye for the entire state. This bond issue offers a responsible way to rebuild and repair the People’s House. My thanks go out to our legislators for taking action to restore the Capitol.”
The bill takes effect July 1, and the renovations could begin as early as the fall.
The building's exterior will be the first priority since barricades have been erected on its south side to prevent pedestrians from walking where debris has fallen from the facade.
“This legislation comes at a crucial time for the building,” Capitol architect Duane Mass said. “We can now ensure a program to halt the damaging infiltration of water, evidenced by falling limestone and concrete, and to replace worn and faulty plumbing and 100-year-old wiring, which at any moment can place this critical structure out of service.
The bill also calls for the creation of a nine-member panel of appointees from the House, Senate and governor to oversee the project.
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