Making repairs problematic in tight economic times, officials lament
March 11, 2012 at 5:04 a.m.
| Updated March 11, 2012 at 5:04 a.m.
Weather and water leaks damaged steps on the west side of the Missouri Capitol, seen here in a March 2009 photo. Several sections are still blocked off from use. Repair for the building's west side stairs may cost as much as $1.37 million. Some lawmakers want to delay the project, but other state officials say fixing the steps now will prevent even higher costs in the future.
Later this month, Missouri's Office of Administration expects to award a contract for repairs to the Capitol's westside stairs.
The scaffolding's up already around the 105-year-old Supreme Court Building, so workers can repair its cornice.
And later this summer, the court building - which also houses part of the attorney general's office - will get a new heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
That's an estimated $2.145 million worth of work in the Capitol complex this year, among just those three projects.
