Next phase of investigative work on Capitol to start on April 20

CHEYENNE, WYO (4/20/2015) – Starting on April 20, crews will begin the next phase of investigative work in the Wyoming State Capitol to uncover the building’s structure for further analysis.

The Capitol Square Project is a major renovation of the national historic landmark Wyoming State Capitol and the adjacent Herschler Building, as well as an executive office addition to the Herschler. This complex multi-year project will repair and modernize the buildings while making much-needed health, safety, security and electrical upgrades.

“The investigative work is important in order to provide more accurate drawings and help us avoid unanticipated costs by revealing existing conditions,” said Suzanne Norton, Architectural Project Manager, Wyoming Department of Administration and Information Construction Management Division. “This is the next step to initial smaller probes done earlier this year.”

Norton explained that this work is a common step in the renovation of historic buildings. “Over the course of its 125 year plus history, the Capitol has undergone numerous additions and renovations. Although there are record documents of the existing conditions, not all conditions and exact measurements are known.”

Over an estimated six-week period, workers with JE Dunn Construction with Risk Removal and SJR will remove interior finishes such as plaster walls and ceilings, wainscoting, and floor finishes. Workers will also do larger, comprehensive probes into the walls than the smaller six-inch probes done earlier in the year.

On April 30, the historic pendant lights will be removed from the second floor around the Rotunda for the historic lighting consultant Crenshaw Lighting based in Virginia to restore and retrofit for LED lights. These lights will be reinstalled once the interior restoration is complete.

All areas being deconstructed will remain open and not repaired until the final restoration is complete.

“The safety of current occupants and visitors is the number one priority,” Norton said. “Nothing will be left open in a hazardous manner. If a hazard exists, temporary covers will be installed.”

Additionally, work areas will have barriers to prevent access and work that produces dust will be contained. Removal activities will have minor noise, but we will do our best to limit them. Work that produces excessive noise will be done in late afternoons or during off hours.

About the Wyoming Capitol Square Project

During the 2014 budget session, the Wyoming Legislature approved a historic project to rehabilitate and restore the Capitol Building, rehabilitate the Herschler Building, build a four-story addition to the Herschler Building, expand the connecting tunnel between the two buildings, and provide for additional parking needs. The components of this project are now known as the “Capitol Square.” The goal of the project is to address significant deficiencies in both the existing buildings and to alleviate space crowding in the Capitol. This complex multi-year project will repair and modernize the buildings while making much-needed health, safety, security and electrical upgrades.The Wyoming Department of Administration and Information Construction Management Division serves as the primary fiscal and contracting agent and eight legislators and the Governor serve as members of the Oversight Group on Capitol Building Rehabilitation and Restoration for the project. For more information, visit www.wyomingcapitolsquare.com.

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Rachel Girt
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