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State Representative Diane Loeffler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4219
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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REP. LOEFFLER’S STATE CAPITOL STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT BILL MOVES FORWARD
(ST. PAUL) — Today a bill authored by State Representative Diane Loeffler (DFL – Minneapolis) requiring a structural risk assessment of the State Capitol was recommended to pass by the State Government Finance Committee.
The bill, HF 1286, would require the Department of Administration to conduct an exterior and interior structural risk assessment of the preservation needs of the State Capitol. The analysis must include an examination of what would be needed to reopen the balcony viewing area on the second floor overlooking the Capitol grounds. By August 1, 2011, the commissioner must provide a prioritized list of restoration projects with rough cost estimates to the governor, the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, and the chairs of the legislative committees with responsibility for those agencies and capital investment. The Department of Administration believes that they can cover the costs of the assessment from their existing appropriation.
Rep. Loeffler says that this assessment is absolutely necessary.
“We have one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the United States," Rep. Loeffler said. “Our Capitol is 106 years old. While the bones remain strong, many major systems, including the exterior roof and stonework, are in distress and literally crumbling. At the hearing we had large, heavy pieces of stone that have fallen off the building. There are additional hidden risks within the walls as basics like plumbing and HVAC are wearing and rusting out.”
Rep. Loeffler has been a leader on Capitol preservation and restoration efforts since the Capitol’s centennial in 2005. She was recently reappointed to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, and served on the Capitol Security Workgroup established by Governor Dayton and legislative leadership. Rep. Loeffler is also the author of a bonding bill to replace the tunnel under University Avenue as part of Capitol security improvements, and assure its completion before the Central Corridor light-rail tracks are laid.
“We cannot wait any longer to address these critical needs,” Rep. Loeffler added. “Forward progress on these basics has sometimes been slowed while grander plans were debated. This bill assures that we will have the information we need to prioritize its critical needs and preserve the building for future generations. We lost an earlier Capitol to fire, we can’t afford to lose the beauty and integrity of this one to neglect or rot.”
HF 1286 now moves to the House floor to be considered by the full body.
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