The state senator from Jefferson City is prioritizing Missouri Capitol renovation work in his budget requests this session.
Sen. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said projects during the past couple years have primarily focused on the Capitol building's internal systems and exterior, pointing specifically to HVAC and window work.
"Now I think we need to work on improving the interior of the Capitol," he said.
State lawmakers appropriated $300 million for Capitol improvement projects last session, which set the foundation for a $535 million master plan created by the Capitol Commission.
Bernskoetter didn't offer a specific amount of funding he would request but said he wants to re-evaluate potential project costs because prices have inflated since the master plan budget was created.
"Hopefully we can get some more money into the budget to make sure that the People's House is protected for years and years to come," he said.
A week before lawmakers kick off a new legislative session, the Capitol building remains in flux with new office assignments and the last remnants of several renovation projects.
Crews on Tuesday were wrapping up projects throughout the building, from rewiring electricity in the House speaker's office to cleaning the third floor grand staircase, which became a hard hat work zone during the summer.
Furniture and equipment line the hallways as legislators transition to different offices and new lawmakers arrive. A sizable number of office name plates remain bare.
But most of the renovation and restoration projects that took place at the Capitol this year are complete or at a significant stopping point to accommodate the hustle and bustle of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 4.
A fresh House chamber, complete with new carpeting, restored desks and a new electronic voting board, will greet lawmakers upon their return.
The project began immediately after legislators adjourned in May and was originally scheduled to be complete by the September veto session, according to Chief Clerk and House Administrator Dana Rademan Miller.
The governor's call for a special session delayed the project, forcing members of the House to hammer out a tax cut using temporary tables and laptops on a bare concrete floor.
Following the special session, a new wool carpet was installed in the House and the century-old, solid mahogany desks were returned to the chamber. Paint and plaster repairs were also made while lawmakers were away. Crews installed new carpeting in the House lounge and restored the room's ceiling color to better match the murals coating its walls.
The Senate chamber was also scheduled to get new carpet and restored desks during the summer, but the project was postponed until next year because of delays in getting the carpet, Senate Administrator Patrick Baker said in October.
The House carpet was too large to fit through the Capitol's usual entrances, so it was brought in through the main bronze doors, which are also getting work done.
Those bronze doors haven't been fully functional for years because of structural issues surrounding them. While the doors can open, Miller said stone around them sags and debris hinders their ability to fit into the side pockets.
The bronze doors open up to the third floor grand staircase, which was blocked off for another renovation project during the summer.
The $17.3 million stained glass skylight above the staircase was removed and shipped to California for restoration. To remove the stained glass, which was created by New York artist Harman T. Schladermundt and installed in the building in the early 1920s, contracted crews built scaffolding on the stairs and closed off the area.
The $3.4 million project will resume after the next two legislative sessions with a final completion date set for November 2024.
Earlier this month, the Office of Administration began work on a $2.1 million project to repair and replace 21 skylights throughout the Capitol.
The skylights varied in age but were at least 45 years old. Some were damaged and causing leaks, OA spokesman Chris Moreland said.
Additional components of the Capitol Commission's master plan include adding a 163,000 square-foot annex under the south lawn, creating a visitors entrance under the Governor's Office portico, adding 200-300 public parking spaces with a new structure in place of the current Senate garage, and reconfiguring lawmaker offices to give each member of the House a one bay-window office and each senator a two bay-window office.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune
Andrew Linder, of Prost Construction, peels tape off the Capitol's grand staircase Tuesday. The tape was leftover from scaffolding built on the staircase last month to remove the stained glass skylight that is being restored in California.
Ryan Pivoney/News Tribune
Andrew Linder, of Prost Construction, peels tape off the Capitol's grand staircase Tuesday. The grand staircase become a work zone over the summer as contractors built scaffolding over it for the stained glass skylight renovation work. The Capitol's main bronze doors, located at the bottom of the steps, are also being restored to become fully functional.