http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5593d1388075704-oklahoma-state-capitol-building-renovations-535-north-committee-room.jpg
The Senate will renovate a large conference room on the fifth floor, complete with a catering area and offices.

The renovated conference room will be able to accommodate all 48 senators, if needed. It will also be equipped so an audio and video feed can be provided on the Internet. It is expected to have the capability for electronic voting.

Offices on the second and third floors also will be renovated.

The Senate is expected to spend between $2.5 million and $3 million and have the projects completed by December, said Randy Dowell, Senate chief of staff.

Paul Meyer, former Capitol architect, said the Senate renovations are not expected to conflict with another project that will use $120 million to address electrical, structural and plumbing problems at the Capitol.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Oklahoma_Senate_to_start_renovations_inside_Capito l/20130602_11_A17_OKLAHO133078

As a lifelong Rep I can't disagree with this more...just a horrible PR move on the Repub leadership part of both houses. If they want it so bad, maybe they should have a fundraiser from their constituents and see if they want their Rep or Sen to have fancy new offices...or maybe pay for the renovations themselves, either from their own pocketbooks or leftover campaign funds 9if that is legal).

As a lifelong Rep I can't disagree with this more...just a horrible PR move on the Repub leadership part of both houses. If they want it so bad, maybe they should have a fundraiser from their constituents and see if they want their Rep or Sen to have fancy new offices...or maybe pay for the renovations themselves, either from their own pocketbooks or leftover campaign funds 9if that is legal).

As a lifelong Republican I will disagree with you. The government has to spend a certain amount of money to operate effectively. It doesn't do us any favors to have elected officials sitting in 1970s furniture with paint peeling off the walls of their offices and ceiling tiles falling in. There is no indication that the money spent here is wasteful, or that any of the renovations are done for opulence. Public buildings should be well-maintained. Public offices should be renovated with similar frequency to private offices. I shouldn't walk into my State Senator's office and say "geez, what a dump."

As a lifelong Republican I will disagree with you. The government has to spend a certain amount of money to operate effectively. It doesn't do us any favors to have elected officials sitting in 1970s furniture with paint peeling off the walls of their offices and ceiling tiles falling in. There is no indication that the money spent here is wasteful, or that any of the renovations are done for opulence. Public buildings should be well-maintained. Public offices should be renovated with similar frequency to private offices. I shouldn't walk into my State Senator's office and say "geez, what a dump."

If I had more time Id search for the Oklahoman article that had some Senators stating how this is a complete waste and the offices and areas that are slated for remodel aren't even used much. Couple that with the fact that the entire capitol building needs remodeling you'd think it would be prudent to wait on that plan first before doing some office construction first.

hoyasooner: I am not saying they souldn't maintain the building, but I think this particular project is the wrong one at the wrong time...again, a bad PR move on their part. I agree with what onthestrip said too...let the restoration plan come together and incorporate this into that. I see nothing wrong with utilizing what you have if it is in good repair (even 1970s furniture). To me that is what part of being a Conservative is, not spending other peoples money without a care. There is a difference between needs and wants. INO, this falls under the wants category. Again, if they want fancy up-to-date stylish digs, thats fine. Pay for it themselves or have their constituents do so. Or have a private fundraising thing like they did with the Friends of the Mansion.

While it may not conflict with the other long term renovations per se, I can certainly see where they might have to rip something out to do those renovations later. Reminds me a bit of the City and MAPS 3/Project 180 mess.

Personally, I think public buildings should reflect the collective character of the people. Public building should inspire us and make us proud of our city, state, and country. Sadly, many people aren't proud of our government and the deteriorating public buildings reflect that. There is no better manifestation of that than our public schools where we went from Central High to portable classrooms in 40 years (but we spare no expense on road construction).

Personally, I think public buildings should reflect the collective character of the people. Public building should inspire us and make us proud of our city, state, and country. Sadly, many people aren't proud of our government and the deteriorating public buildings reflect that. There is no better manifestation of that than our public schools where we went from Central High to portable classrooms in 40 years (but we spare no expense on road construction).I think in the grand scheme of things, we actually are cheap when we build roads, we just build too many and instead of building one really nice road, we end up building 10 crappy roads.

JTF: I agree. I don't want anyone to think that the State shouldn't maintain it's property but it also needs to be fiscally responsible when doing so. I think the State should pay for the essential public areas of its public buildings. Even provide "standard" office spaces for its Legislators. The standards desks, chairs and various office equipment needed to function in the most efficient, cost effective manner etc. Then if a legislator or any other elected official wants something above and beyond what is provided or something other than the options available from say a warehouse that i am sure exists of excess furniture etc, they pay for those improvements themselves.

Just seem they have their priorities out of whack. While it is great to have the latest audio & video etc, when you have plumbing, sewer, heat & air, electrical issues etc...what good does it do to have catering facilities and private bathrooms etc if the plumbing it is tied into is bad? Just do things in the correct order.

Also, not sure what they mean by "have the capability for electronic voting". The members need to be present in the Chamber to vote. They shouldn't be permitted to have someone else vote for them or to vote remotely (unless there is some high-tech thumb print or retinal scanner that identifies it is really them casting the vote.

Also, not sure what they mean by "have the capability for electronic voting". The members need to be present in the Chamber to vote. They shouldn't be permitted to have someone else vote for them or to vote remotely (unless there is some high-tech thumb print or retinal scanner that identifies it is really them casting the vote.

According to Senate Rules a member must be present in the Chamber or Committee Meeting in order to case a vote and no member may vote on behalf of another member who is not present in the chamber (a.k.a. yelling 'Senator Jones vote 'yea' for me would ya?'). Currently in Committee the members vote by a voice vote and a committee staff member records those votes on a computer to generate the Committee Report. This would had efficiency to the Senate Committee process.

^^^
Gotchya...thanks for the info...there was some issue this past session when someone voted for someone else (can't recall which house it was)...

Found this from Oklahoma Nation's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaFans/posts/10151639759579191


OKLAHOMA CITY – A restoration worker at the State Capitol recently made quite the discovery while remodeling.
A hidden attic above the fifth floor was found with some original lighting dating back to the 1900s.
Fine details are put into historic structures, like Oklahoma’s Capitol building, and there’s more to architecture than what meets the eye.Read more here:Antiques found in hidden attic at State Capitol | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2013/06/26/antiques-found-in-hidden-attic-at-state-capitol/)

^^^
Kewl...thanks for posting that...

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Photo of the original fixtures

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Historic lighting fixture to be delivered to state Senate

Following recent media coverage of the discovery of historic artifacts during the restoration of a large conference room on the fifth floor of the state Capitol, one Oklahoman who saw the reports recognized they were in possession of one of the original floor lamps from the Senate Chamber.

This afternoon at 1 p.m. they will deliver the nearly one hundred year-old fixture to the state Capitol, donating the extraordinary piece to the state Senate.

Aerial Oklahoma Inc | (http://www.aerialok.com/)

http://www.aerialok.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0547-Capitol2.jpg

http://www.aerialok.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0350-Capitol_Zoom.jpg

That's a lot of watermarks trying to blur up very nice photos.

Shakespeare got to get paid, son.

http://newsok.com/leaking-oklahoma-capitol-tunnel-provides-damp-welcome/article/3859938

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/920291_10151571661178731_384983232_o.jpg

Insight Visual Media | Oklahoma based graphic design, web development, photography and video production company (http://www.goivm.com/)

It's such an elegant building. It's a shame it is surrounded by parking lots and a quasi-freeway.

It's such an elegant building. It's a shame it is surrounded by parking lots and a quasi-freeway.

Yep. Too bad it wasn't originally built closer to downtown at the terminus of a major street.

The other pic from IVM is good too:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1049260_10151567693053731_181982626_o.jpg

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151567693053731&set=a.10150235542683731.325969.283959623730&type=1

If only the Capitol looked as good close up as it does there.

If only the Cotter Tower had some other buddies around it... It's all by its lonesome from that angle...

If only the Cotter Tower had some other buddies around it... It's all by its lonesome from that angle...

We need something like... 'Chia Instant Skyline'.

Just pick up a pack, spread the thick goop generously all over downtown in the surface parking lots and other empty spots.
Sprinkle the little tower seeds all about, and then water thoroughly.
In a few days... POP...POP, POP..., POP, POP, POP...
Instant skyline with multitudinous new towers!
:)

We need something like... 'Chia Instant Skyline'.

Just pick up a pack, spread the thick goop generously all over downtown in the surface parking lots and other empty spots.
Sprinkle the little tower seeds all about, and then water thoroughly.
In a few days... POP...POP, POP..., POP, POP, POP...
Instant skyline with multitudinous new towers!
:)I want towers just as much as you(i think), but how did you survive here from the pre-Devon tower years???? lol

The capitol images are stunning. And it probably looked that nice too ... long, long ago. But it's good for folks to see what it could be again, someday, sans scaffolding and falling bits of building.

Oklahoma State Capitol (July 30 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634984162030/)

Yep. Too bad it wasn't originally built closer to downtown at the terminus of a major street.

I've wondered, why was the capitol built where it is now and not closer to downtown, if not in downtown?

I've wondered, why was the capitol built where it is now and not closer to downtown, if not in downtown?

Don't remember who, I'm sure it's out there, but someone donated the land 2 miles from downtown for the building many moons ago.

At the time there was a push to have it built southside in Capitol Hill, they named the area for that purpose...then it didn't happen but the name stuck

It's such an elegant building. It's a shame it is surrounded by parking lots and a quasi-freeway.


Yep. Too bad it wasn't originally built closer to downtown at the terminus of a major street.

Kind of makes you wonder how much the building and land is worth (plus current and future renovation costs) vs. how much it would cost to just build a whole new Capitol complex in downtown.

Don't remember who, I'm sure it's out there, but someone donated the land 2 miles from downtown for the building many moons ago.

IIRC, William Harn, one of the original '89ers, donated part of his homestead for the Capitol building.

Kind of makes you wonder how much the building and land is worth (plus current and future renovation costs) vs. how much it would cost to just build a whole new Capitol complex in downtown.
It's not the siting that's the problem, but what has been allowed to be built around it. With proper funding, there could be real opportunity to make this area stunning.

JTF: don't have the article handy but I think I read where it would either be cheaper or about the same to build new rather than renovate (but that was just for the building on the same site)

''OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma legislators are spending $7 million to remodel or completely overhaul offices at the Capitol. But some legislators say the project is wasteful and the state has more pressing needs.
Workers are tearing down walls and opening up ceilings to create more office space, more committee meeting space for both the House and Senate.

Areas on three floors including the old Supreme Court chambers are being gutted.

Senate Appropriations chair Clark Jolley took us behind the scenes, showing us how, over the years, different finishes had been layered on top of each other, rather than trying to maintain the building's original beauty.

The $7 million cost of the renovation work is coming out of the general fund budget. Jolley says the improvements have been needed for years, and are a one-time expense.

But critics say the timing is wrong, the money could be better spent.

Now, it's important to note that this, technically, is not part of the big Capitol renovation. That will begin after a special committee decides how to spend the $120 million the state has allocated for Capitol repairs.

The committee meets for the first time on Tuesday''

http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/23384702_BG1.jpg

- $7M Being Spent To Remodel Oklahoma State Capitol - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/23384702/7m-being-spent-to-remodel-oklahoma-state-capitol)

Update: The renovations are almost complete for the House of Representatives offices and conference rooms. Names of the Representatives have been painted on the doors and they should start moving after the holiday.

Senate office renovations are also nearing completion, a lot of work is still left to do on the large committee room on the fifth floor. Senators should start moving into their offices in the second week of December.

I will try to take and post pictures soon.

5117 This is the rendering of the large conference room. Furniture should be different. Sorry for the low quality.

It's such an elegant building. It's a shame it is surrounded by parking lots and a quasi-freeway.

This. It's a beautiful Capitol, one of the best. But we turned it into a drive-thru Capitol w oil wells in front. It's been taken over as a shrine to car culture.

5117 This is the rendering of the large conference room. Furniture should be different. Sorry for the low quality.

I have to agree with the project being wasteful, the conference room looks like crap

Any updates on the Capital renovations?

The construction on the Committee Rooms is still underway. Senators have moved into their new offices (a total of 10 were constructed). The House of Representatives has almost completed their project. I know several State Representatives have already moved into their new offices on the Second Floor (Old Supreme Court office space)

I will try to get some pictures of the new Senate area on the Second Floor as well. The Senate now occupies the spaces that formerly belonged to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

55935594559555965597

Thanks for the photos, Seth!

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Updates: 5th Floor Conference Room, added lighting and finished with the ceiling painting.

It's such an elegant building. It's a shame it is surrounded by parking lots and a quasi-freeway.


The original design had these large roads as part of the design. Grand Avenues were part of city planning as statements of politic power and public spaces during the period in which this complex was designed.

Here is an original sketch from architect Andrew Layton, from this web-site: In The Beginning—The Oklahoma State Capitol—Oklahoma State Archives—Oklahoma Department of Libraries (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oar/resources/dome/)
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I like the roads. They are fine and no shame is brought to the building by having them. They do a great job in moving traffic.

The original design had these large roads as part of the design. Grand Avenues were part of city planning as statements of politic power and public spaces during the period in which this complex was designed.

Here is an original sketch from architect Andrew Layton, from this web-site: In The Beginning—The Oklahoma State Capitol—Oklahoma State Archives—Oklahoma Department of Libraries (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/oar/resources/dome/)
5729

Oh my gosh! I wish that archway had been completed as well!

I like the roads. They are fine and no shame is brought to the building by having them. They do a great job in moving traffic.

I would have liked what is in the picture better. Especially the arch.

Hey we didn't build the dome originally so no reason we can't go back and build the arch.

I would have liked what is in the picture better. Especially the arch.yeah I would love to see the arch

More pictures...conference room is nearing completion...

621462156216

Hey we didn't build the dome originally so no reason we can't go back and build the arch.

The closeups sketches I've seen of the Arch were quite nice (they use to have them on display in the capital building). Though, it was designed as a memorial to WWI, understandable at the time - the War to end all wars. Now it may seem a little much for one historic (though significant) war. I guess it could just be a classical structure with historic themes representing Oklahoma history - that would be appropriate.

How many square feet is the State Capitol? The Texas State Capitol claims to be the largest state capitol at 360,000 sq. ft., although I've seen several sources state that the Oklahoma State Capitol is over 400,000 sq. ft. Unless that's including additional buildings at the complex?

Photo of the 2nd Floor committee room. This used to be the chambers of the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Senate built the lower dais and took out the railing and replaced the carpet.
(Photo courtesy of Senator Brian Crain)
6635

Historic lamp moved to new permanent home.


Oklahoma City, OK - Twelve tall bronze lamps stood in the Senate Chamber of the state Capitol after it was built in 1917. There is no record of when the lamps were removed, but one returned to its original home by a Norman man almost a century later.
About 40 years ago, Coy Green purchased a tall floor lamp for $25 at an Oklahoma City swap meet. After that day, the lamp stood in his barn until he noticed a 1918 photograph of the chamber in a newspaper article printed last summer. The article with the photograph was about a discovery a Senate staffer had made while working in the Capitol building's attic. The staff member had found 11 antique wall sconces that once hung in the Senate chamber. Green recognized the floor lamps in the photograph and realized he had one to match.

"When I saw the picture, I knew it was a Senate lamp," Green said when he and his wife, Debbie, returned the lamp last July. "We were very happy, and it's good to be able to do this; it needs to be home."

Chair of the Capitol Preservation Commission, Trait Thompson, said they are grateful to have the lamp back in the Senate chamber.

"This beautiful piece is a direct tie to the history of the State Capitol," said Thompson. "It serves to remind us of those who blazed the trail to create our wonderful state over 100 years ago."

http://kwtv.images.worldnow.com/images/24698124_BG1.jpg

- Historic Lamp Returns To Senate Chamber - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/24698124/historic-lamp-returns-to-senate-chamber)

How many square feet is the State Capitol? The Texas State Capitol claims to be the largest state capitol at 360,000 sq. ft., although I've seen several sources state that the Oklahoma State Capitol is over 400,000 sq. ft. Unless that's including additional buildings at the complex?
Honestly, I don't know what the sqft. is, but this has been an issue since the building was built. I did a history report on design and construction of the building, learned a couple of intresting 'tidbits'. One was that the original contract was for 3 stories, but the new legislature wanted more space so they added an 'basement' (ground floor) and' attic' (5th floor) to get around the wording written - and funded - by the earlier legislature. This is why there was no funding to finish the dome when originally built. The dome was always part of the plan as the pediment for the weight of the dome was part of the original building. I thought this humorous turn of events during the construction was very appropriate as it clearly illustrated the nature of Oklahoma.

Here is a link to the Journal Record article that has information on $160 million in bonds for capitol repairs passed by the Senate if anyone has a sign in and would like to post the article:

Restoring the people?s house: Senate committee OKs $160M bond for Capitol repairsThe Journal Record | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/02/12/restoring-the-peoples-house-senate-committee-oks-160m-bond-for-capitol-repairs-capitol/)

Here is the Oklahoman article on it and as usual, there are some comments that are gems at the bottom...

Oklahoma state Capitol repairs bond issue clears committee | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-state-capitol-repairs-bond-issue-clears-committee/article/3933122)

Here is the Oklahoman article on it and as usual, there are some comments that are gems at the bottom...

Oklahoma state Capitol repairs bond issue clears committee | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-state-capitol-repairs-bond-issue-clears-committee/article/3933122)

Oh dear Lord that's brutal.
Potential republican tax cuts for the rich are to blame for decades of neglect towards the capitol. Yeah...that's totally it.
Vote anyone who votes for any debt whatsoever out of office? Yeah because the pay as you go road funding is brilliant solution that doesn't cost more and take longer. If that guy didn't buy his home in cash he needs to rethink his views. He should probably learn about the difference between good debt and bad debt, low interest rates and high interest rates.

Oh dear Lord that's brutal.
Potential republican tax cuts for the rich are to blame for decades of neglect towards the capitol. Yeah...that's totally it.
Vote anyone who votes for any debt whatsoever out of office? Yeah because the pay as you go road funding is brilliant solution that doesn't cost more and take longer. If that guy didn't buy his home in cash he needs to rethink his views. He should probably learn about the difference between good debt and bad debt, low interest rates and high interest rates.

Richard Kennedy sounds like a jackass.