State Capitol Building

[Plutonic Panda]

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

[kevinpate]

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.

[UnFrSaKn]

Oklahoma State Capitol (July 30 2013) - a set on Flickr

[KayneMo]

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?

[Bellaboo]

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.

[Larry OKC]

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

[Just the facts]

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.

[BB37]

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.

[CuatrodeMayo]

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.

[Larry OKC]

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)

[Plutonic Panda]

''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''



- $7M Being Spent To Remodel Oklahoma State Capitol - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[sethsrott]

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.

[sethsrott]

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

[Spartan]

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.

[PiePie]

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

[UnFrSaKn]

Any updates on the Capital renovations?

[sethsrott]

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.

[ethansisson]

Thanks for the photos, Seth!

[sethsrott]

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

[TAlan CB]

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

[Plutonic Panda]

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.

[KayneMo]

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

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

[Mississippi Blues]

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.

[shawnw]

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

[Plutonic Panda]

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

yeah I would love to see the arch