by (Recorder of Georgia) Despite the absence of lawmakers, work is still being done this summer beneath Georgia’s Gold Dome. Architects have begun renovating the House and Senate rooms while lawmakers are away.
A new legislative office, complete with committee rooms and legislator offices, is also being constructed across the street. The Georgia General Assembly authorized a $392 million remodeling plan last year that includes both projects.
Since it was built in 1889, the Gold Dome has served as a representation of the state. Plans for renovations aim to celebrate a new chapter while also honoring this past.
According to Timothy Crimmins, co-author of Democracy Restored: A History of the Georgia State Capitol, the structure itself should represent the fact that it is both a site of governance and history.A restoration specialist fixes decorative elements on the Georgia House chamber’s ceiling. (The Georgia Recorder/Ross Williams)
There was a rigorous $1 million budget when the state Capitol was first built, and it was mandatory that Georgia materials be used whenever available. Some building materials were hard to find locally due to budgetary constraints. As a result, European carpets were imported for the Capitol’s interior chambers while Indiana limestone was used for the building’s façade.
In the same vein, the Capitol is also undergoing renovations. The project has already used local materials from floor to ceiling and is supported by a repair budget of $83 million for the ancient Capitol building alone.
The new carpet being laid in the Senate and House chambers was created by Shaw Floors, a Dalton-based business. According to state representative Kasey Carpenter, a Republican who represents Dalton, the city has long been referred to as the Carpet Capital of the World and produces 85 to 90% of the carpet used in the United States.
Having a spot in the Capitol is definitely a source of pride for northwest Georgia, Carpenter said.
There are other cities that have found a position to shine at the Capitol besides Dalton. When Georgia’s famous dome was restored during the first phases of refurbishment last year, Dahlonega gold was used.
Although the Capitol has seen significant modification since 1889, Gerald Pilgrim, chief of staff for the Georgia Building Authority in charge of the restorations, expressed his expectation that the building will resemble its original appearance and feel by the project’s conclusion.A close-up of a section of the House chamber ceiling that is almost complete. Georgia Recorder/Jill Nolin
By using a preservationist subtractor and historical preservation architects, Pilgrim and his team have prioritized historical accuracy in order to realize this aim. Even minor elements, such as color schemes and lighting, have been fact-checked collectively. After refurbishing chandeliers from the 1900s, a lot of light research was done to make sure each lightbulb produced the right amount of light.
Before lawmakers return to the Capitol, their desks will all be polished and equipped with a new USB port. The chairs have been swapped out for replicas, but the old ones will be stored and made accessible upon request from seat holders.
Skybridge debate lingers
The new legislative office building’s construction has advanced and is expected to be completed by the end of the following year.
Pilgrim claimed that the offices at the Coverdell building were claustrophobic and tiny. The size of everyone’s (new) office will be the same. Every office will have a window view of the Capitol or downtown Atlanta; there won’t be any obstructions in the structure. They will all be 226 square feet, which is roughly twice as much space as they currently have.
In order to provide an accessible means of transportation between the Capitol building and the new offices on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, the eight-story structure will also have a skybridge.Scaffolding for a restoration filled the Georgia House chamber. (The Georgia Recorder/Ross Williams)
At the statehouse, the topic of building a bridge or tunnel has been discussed for decades. According to Crimmins, a previous plan to build a bridge across Mitchell Street from the Capitol to the existing legislative office was eventually turned down. Instead, officials closed several streets to reduce traffic.
Preservationists expressed worries when discussions regarding a skybridge resurfaced. The Georgia Building Authority, according to Pilgrim, weighed its options before concluding that the skybridge was the best choice.
According to Pilgrim, we considered building a tunnel, which would have cost around four times as much. More significantly, though, the tunnel would not increase accessibility.
Pilgrim responded to preservationists’ worries by stating that the skybridge will support itself and won’t need to be demolished. In the event that the project does not turn out to be as successful as expected, this makes it simple to remove the bridge in subsequent years. Similar materials that complement the Capitol’s current design will be used throughout construction, and arches that resemble the building’s renaissance-style architecture will be included.
The Atlanta Preservation Center’s executive director, David Mitchell, has been a strong opponent of the skybridge. He contends that promises of increased accessibility are satirical given the lack of public awareness and communication regarding repairs, likening it to an odd umbilical connection.
In reference to the skybridge, Mitchell remarked, “You’re telling me that you’re spending $10 million for something that will only be used for four months, if at all.” It’s not like it’s in use all year round, and it helps a lot of individuals with disabilities. We’re discussing throughout the session when this will be used the most, not discussing anything like an ADA compliance.
Even though the skybridge is still up for dispute, building was permitted in June when the Atlanta City Council signed the air rights that will enable the bridge’s construction the following year.
Original library will be restored
A soon-to-be-restored state library that was a component of the ancient Capitol will greet pedestrians arriving from the skybridge. In addition to providing more meeting rooms for public affairs, the two-story library will bring a diverse selection of books back to the statehouse.
By 1910, the library had been turned into offices, and by 1950, it had been shut down entirely, according to Pilgrim. The present offices and copy room will move to the first floor following the refurbishment. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the restoration process in an observation area.
According to Pilgrim, we will have Plexiglas walls in the space so that school groups can observe the craftspeople at work when they visit.
By the end of 2027, both new building and renovations should be finished. It is anticipated that the three-year project won’t disrupt the upcoming legislative session.
