Contact: Scott Holste, (573) 751-0290
Channing Ansley, (573) 751-0290
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 15, 2014
Gov. Nixon and legislators discuss making needed repairs to Missouri State Capitol building
Governor commits to working with General Assembly to include repairs to Missouri State Capitol in a fiscally responsible bond issuance
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today joined members of the Missouri General Assembly to discuss the need to make critical repairs and renovations to the Missouri State Capitol. Cathy Brown of the Division of Facilities Management in the Office of Administration led the Governor and legislators on a tour of areas of the basement of the Capitol where leaking stonework has led to significant damage to the sub-structure of the building.
“We have an obligation to be good stewards of the public assets with which we’ve been entrusted. And each day we wait to address these issues, we add to the ultimate cost of fixing them,” Gov. Nixon said. “That is why I’m proud to stand with these legislators today to lend my support to including these needed Capitol repairs and renovations in a fiscally responsible bond issuance next year.”
Significant repairs are needed to address deteriorating stonework on the exterior of the Capitol, which was completed in 1917. Water infiltration from damaged exterior building elements has caused cracks and rusting to occur, compromising the structural integrity of the building. In addition to repairs to the exterior stonework, estimated at $40 million, the Governor said that other repair and renovation projects related to the Capitol may be considered once the legislative session gets underway.
Last year, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 723, which increased the bonding authority for state buildings by $400 million.
“As we celebrate the centennial of the Missouri State Capitol’s construction, these long-overdue repairs are critical to the safety and integrity of this building and to meeting our obligation to be responsible stewards of this iconic symbol of our state,” said Sen. Mike Kehoe. “I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly to ensure we maintain and care for the Capitol in a prudent, fiscally responsible way.”
“The Missouri State Capitol is the state’s most important and treasured public building, but as we just saw, its very foundation is crumbling,” said Rep. Tom Flanigan. “Allowing our Capitol building to continue to fall into disrepair is unacceptable and that’s why I’m committed to looking at our options to bring to light what will preserve the Capitol building while making fiscal sense for taxpayers.”
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Scott Holste
Press Secretary for Missouri Governor Jay Nixon
573-751-0290
