Chickasha Rotary Club

Chickasha Rotary Club 
Feb 25, 2016

 

Visitors 
     None 
Visiting Rotarian 
    None

Sunshine Report 
    Mosley family passing 
    Conrad Duprez's Mother in hospice 
    John Herndon's Mother in hospice 

 

 

Rotarian of the Day Richard Van Dyck introduced his program Trait Thompson; State Capitol Renovations.  It was started in 1914.  Our Capitol is the symbol of who we are.  It represents our democracy and is more than just a pile of stones.  That is why they are about the effort to restore.  Designed by Solomon Layton Ground broken in July 1914 and completed by June 1917.  Contains 11 acres of floor space.  450,000 square feet in the building and is larger than the Texas State Capitol.  It is made of Indiana Limestone for the exterior.  The base is made of Tishomingo Granite. It was built at a cost of 1.5 million.  It is not still frame but concrete framed building.  The building was always designed to have a dome so they decided not to add it but left the structure intact so that it could have been added after the war.  It was 85 years later before the dome was added.  In 2014 they passed the bond issue and as they began work they discovered there are many issues that have been due to poor upkeep but also poor repairs over the years.  

Priority 1 is what they are working on now and is funding $85.5 Million.  There is priority 2 and 3 are on hold due to funding.  The motor replacement project done in the past was done poorly and with the wrong kind of mortar.  In addition to repair and replace they are also working on stone cleaning.  Some of the orange-ish staining is due to years ago a silicone sealant that has soaked in to the stone and attracts blowing Oklahoma red dirt.  They are trying many different techniques to clean the stone.  

Priority 2 would include Windows and doorways and is unfounded with a gap of $95 Million.  The Light Wells and Tunnel need to be repaired and drained of water from storms.  

Priority 3. Proposed at $65 million.  Stairs, plaza, walkways, Parking Garage, and add a Capitol park in front, and Memorial Arch.  

They are also working on the interior as well.  There are over 50 thousands pages of notes on issues that need to be removed.  Someone glued vinyl tile over the marble floors and damaged the marble.  There are wires all over the building and many of them are not even working anymore.  Also new plumbing needs to be added.  And a new Visitor's Entrance to help retain air conditioning and a better security situation.  

2022 is the goal to be done with the renovation.  For more information: capitolrestore.ok.gov

Thank you Richard for a great program.