Committee approves phasing strategy for Capitol restoration
Multiple phases to be used during interior restoration
OKLAHOMA CITY — The State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee on
Thursday approved a phasing strategy for work to repair and restore the
interior of the Capitol building.
The strategy calls for interior work to be done in multiple
phases so the building can remain open throughout construction and legislative
sessions can be held with minimal interruptions.
Manhattan Construction, the contractor hired to repair and
restore the interior of the Capitol, recommended the strategy as the best
option.
"While totally vacating the building would make
construction easier, the reality is it just isn't practical to shut down the
Capitol for such an extended period of time," said Trait Thompson, state
Capitol project manager for the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
"There will be disruptions, but we believe they will be minimized by the
expertise Manhattan has working around the operations of buildings like this,
including the U.S. Capitol."
Other phasing options were to do work in two phases, which would
require vacating half of the building at a time, or one phase, which would
require vacating the entire building. The committee received a cost benefit
analysis of each option that showed the multiple phase approach to be the most
cost effective due to the considerable tenant relocation expenses that would be
necessary under the other options.
The phasing strategy, which is one of the nine-member
committee's responsibilities under legislation enacted last year by the
Legislature and Gov. Mary Fallin, will help project planners determine the best
approaches for interior restoration work. It is a broad strategy, not a
construction timeline; a construction timeline will be determined later.
Planning for the interior restoration is underway and
construction begins next year.
Exterior restoration, which is being managed through a separate
process, begins this year with trial repairs in the spring and summer.
Media Contact
JOHN ESTUS Director of Public Affairs (405) 521-3097 | john.estus@omes.ok.gov
About the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
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provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and
information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the
Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Supporting our partners through unified business services. For more information, visit OMES.OK.gov.
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