Plan for protecting Ore. Capitol might stay frozen
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 10:34 AM PDT
SALEM (AP) — Officials are pleased with the master plan to reinforce the Capitol against an earthquake and expand the number of public meeting rooms. But the projected cost — between $200 million and $300 million — might keep the idea on the shelf for awhile.
‘‘I like this plan. I’m only sorry it is going up for its initial discussion during tough times, when nobody would probably look favorably on it,’’ said Gary Wilhelms, who co-chaired a public commission that met in 2005 and 2006 and recommended the development of a master plan.
The most expensive item in the plan from Portland architectural firm SRG Partnership is ‘‘base isolation.’’ That would essentially put shock absorbers under the Capitol and its wings so they can resist an earthquake.
Scott Burgess, who as legislative administrator is in charge of the Capitol, said the master plan has value even if it’s not quickly implemented.
He said it gives guidance to officials planning the building’s future for the next quarter-century.
‘‘It’s a plan,’’ Burgess emphasized, ‘‘not a design or construction drawing.’’
The Capitol accommodates thousands of people daily during a legislative session.
The master plan report anticipates that people would die and the building would not be salvageable if a severe earthquake hit.
The seismic work would cost more than $100 million — close to a rough estimate back in 1993, after the Capitol was damaged in an earthquake. The rotunda was closed for two years while it was reinforced.
Washington’s Capitol in Olympia was severely damaged in a 2001 earthquake. It was reopened in 2005 after a $118 million renovation.
