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Legislators, governor, reporters tour crumbling Capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Incoming and current legislators joined Gov. Jay Nixon and a crowd of reporters to tour parts of the Capitol building in need of repair today.

The parts of the Capitol to show the most dereliction include what many staff call “The Catacombs,” which include much of the unfinished basement and the area under the front staircase. The areas, featured in The Missouri Times this fall, have regular issues with efflorescence – salt residue left from evaporated water.

The presence of water is so strong in these parts of the Capitol that drip trays have been installed to prevent water from dripping on items in storage and equipment. Stalactites and stalagmites in various stages of development are hard to miss throughout.

Nixon made it clear to the reporters and legislators that he would be supportive of renovations and bond insurance this next year – which is Missouri’s 3rd Capitol building in Jefferson City. The first two burned.

Legislators who sit on the Capitol Commission, a state board tasks with Capitol maintenance, were present, including Rep. Tom Flanigan (R-Joplin), Rep. Pat Conway (D-St. Joseph), Sen. Mike Kehoe and Sen. Kiki Curls.

“Fixing the Capitol is not a partisan issue,” Kehoe said.

The governor told the group that repairs are estimated to cost between $40-75 million.

See more pictures.