Kentucky’s Capitol getting a $100 million makeover after years of wear and tear
On the late-spring day of June 2, 1910, Gov. Augustus Willson joined several former governors, judges, generals, members of Congress and thousands of other proud Kentuckians in grand ceremonies to dedicate Kentucky’s new Capitol.
Work on the massive building in south Frankfort began in 1904 with men and horses to replace the earlier 1830 Capitol, still standing in downtown Frankfort. It had become inadequate to accommodate the growing state government. The price tag for the new four-story Capitol known for its many striking architectural features and opulent decorative finishes was $1.82 million.
Today, the Capitol with its 70 iconic columns, sky lights, and striking dome that can be seen from miles away still is impressive while practical. It houses nearly 500 state government offices, including the governor’s executive suite on the first floor, the Supreme Court chambers on the second floor, and the House and Senate chambers on the third floor.
But the stately building filled with history is showing its wear and tear, which will cost more than $100 million to repair.
Slightly more than $1.1 million was spent in 2017 to give the Capitol’s facade a thorough cleaning and some restoration of infrastructure has started. But much, much more is to be done.
Jill Midkiff, spokeswoman for the state Finance and Administration Cabinet, said as of late October it was projected to cost $100 million over several years to renovate the massive building.
But that figure may change, she said, because it does not include what an additional ongoing analyses of the building’s problems might show.
She also noted that construction material costs have significantly increased nationwide as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand following reduced production during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s like when you do a house repair for a problem and then you find another problem,” said Bernie Engelman, architect and project manager. He works for the cabinet’s Department for Facilities and Support Services.
The goal of the huge project, he said, is to make the Capitol safer, more energy efficient and comfortable.
So far, the Kentucky General Assembly has approved $26.5 million for planned repairs and renovations of the Capitol — $4.5 million in the 2018-2020 state budget and $22 million in the 2020-2022 budget.
The cabinet has not yet determined how much money to seek for the work from the next General Assembly, which begins in January, said Midkiff.
She emphasized that the planning of the work has been going on for a few years and will take several years to complete.
The work to be done is diverse, ranging from removing rusty water pipes, replacing gobs of old telephone and computer lines, installing new voltage units, providing temperature control throughout the building and replacing terracotta tiles on the dome, some of which date back to 1941.
Engelman and Midkiff recently provided a tour for the Lexington Herald-Leader to show the work under way and preview the work that remains for the Capitol.
Interior Work
The interior work is projected to cost about $64 million.
It is extensive.
Removed ceiling tiles in the basement of the Capitol reveal decades of electrical, telephone and computer lines strung out like clumps of elongated spaghetti. They violate safety codes and have to be removed and replaced.
All electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems in the Capitol will be renovated. That will take about $40 million, the most expensive part of the project.
Large water pipes are rusty, and sometimes leak. The heating and cooling system in the building does not work well. In the winter, the south side of the Capitol that gets most of the sun’s rays often is warm, while Capitol employees in the north side shiver. It always seems to be cold in the Supreme Court chamber on the second floor.
“Better technology and temperature control will be available,” said Engelman. The last major renovation of this type was in 1953, said Engelman. “It’s time for another.”
The Capitol has six “mechanical rooms” — two in the basement and four on the fourth floor. They are dark, solitary places filled with all shapes, sizes and kinds of metal pipes.
The work in the basement, which provided stables for the horses and carriages used when the Capitol was new, has resulted in the temporary relocation of some offices.
Similar work will get underway in coming months in the Capitol’s upper floors.
On all floors, restrooms will be renovated, heating and cooling units will be replaced and lighting will be upgraded or replaced. Most landline phones will be removed.
Paint is chipping from the ceilings throughout the building. Asbestos must be removed from some rooms.
The project calls for enlarging the elevator on the north side of the Capitol to make it correspond with guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The elevator on the south side will be reviewed.
This project is anticipated to take about three years to complete, said Midkiff.
Exterior work
Projected cost for the exterior work is $38 million. It currently has $6 million in funds.
Window restoration is in the planning/design phase of the renovation project to preserve the historic integrity of the building. The Capitol has more than 200 windows. The price tag of the window renovation is $10.5 million.
The stately dome needs repairs and maintenance. Black algae on it will be cleaned off. Enough organic material has accumulated on the dome that a small tree is growing from it. Cost of the dome work: $16 million.
A roof replacement is planned in approximately three or four years, after the dome restoration is completed. A new roof will cost about $7 million.
Terrace renovation and repair around the Capitol is planned in approximately four to five years and will cost about $5 million.
Closed road not part of Capitol renovation
Th decision to close the road between the Capitol and the Annex on Oct. 25 to vehicular traffic was not part of the Capitol renovation project.
State and federal security professionals recommended the road closure. Bollards were installed at the east and west ends of the road, making the area between the Floral Clock and the Capitol rose garden accessible only to pedestrian traffic.
Midkiff noted that a site evaluation conducted by federal security partners after September 11, 2001, first recommended such additional security enhancements to reduce exposure to car bombs.
Both Kentucky State Police and Frankfort fire and emergency services will have the ability to remove the bollards for emergency access to the Capitol campus.
Midkiff said the state’s current state budget includes an appropriation of $343,000 to strengthen security on the Capitol campus, a part of which will be used to cover the bollard installation.
