Oklahoma's State Capital Building is Crumbling

[Townsend]

I'm interested to see what options she'll accept in order to get the capital repaired.

Governor Tours Crumbling Capitol Building

http://www.ktul.com/story/20617316/governor-tours-crumbling-capitol-building?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Oklahoma City (AP) -

  Governor Mary Fallin wants state legislators to find a way to pay for repairs to the crumbling capitol building.

  She says she supports all options for meeting the estimated $160 million price tag.

  She toured the building on Thursday with the state architect and building maintenance supervisors.

  The Governor says she's concerned about the health and safety of people who work there.

  Several sections of the building are blocked off with barricades where large chunks of limestone have failed from the building's facade.

Will she be willing to share money with Tulsa?

Will she take federal medical care money and slide it on over?

Will she have private talks with the OHP?

Can't hardly wait to find out.

[sgrizzle]

Can't you get a new capital for $160 Million?

I'm sure some donors in Tulsa would pay for it if they built it here.

[nathanm]

Sounds like we need that tax cut more than ever.

[sauerkraut]

Mary Fallin was looking the building over and it does seem to be in need of repair. The electrical panels are in poor shape and cement is crumbling. It can be a hazzard for state employees.

[Townsend]

Mary Fallin was looking the building over and it does seem to be in need of repair. The electrical panels are in poor shape and cement is crumbling. It can be a hazzard for state employees.

What should she do about it Sauer?

[Gaspar]

Can't you get a new capital for $160 Million?

I'm sure some donors in Tulsa would pay for it if they built it here.

Why can't they just use the Staples Center on non-game days.

[DTowner]

Maybe we should have used that money spent on adding the dome to fixing the place up.

[Conan71]

Maybe we should have used that money spent on adding the dome to fixing the place up.

Actually, the dome was funded entirely with private funds, IIRC.  Perhaps we could put on another public appeals drive for repairs.

[shadows]

Governments by their interpretations can create money by increasing its debt ceiling.

They also could deed it back to the Native Americans again and allow them to install gaming machines.   The dealers are already installed on table games.

[Ed W]

Our roads and bridges are crumbling too, and don't get me started on state funding for education.  I suggest renting a bunch of FEMA trailers and parking them on the capitol grounds.

[Conan71]

Our roads and bridges are crumbling too, and don't get me started on state funding for education.  I suggest renting a bunch of FEMA trailers and parking them on the capitol grounds.

"GREAT JOB, BROWNIE!!!"

[TheArtist]

If we want to be a Conservative Republican model of small, efficient, effective, moral government... well, I don't see where a fancy, huge stone and marble monolith has a place in that?    

The best example of that IMHO would be a modern, energy efficient, built to do the job thats needed, easy to maintain, well built/long lasting, structure.  If that equals a long, low lying, glass and steel structure, so be it, that's what we should have. I would be proud to point to that, show the rest of the world and say "This is how it should be done. This is right and good."  That would be something Oklahoma could be proud of and show off to the rest of the world.

I can't help but be reminded of the time years ago when I was watching the news and hearing about some government official in the newly formed Iraq government.  He was sitting in a fancy office behind a new, gold and ornately carved desk while people outside were hungry and without working electricity and water services. From the conversation it seemed as if he thought that for his position he deserved/should have this type of "set up" to reflect his "stature".  I was thinking "There is chaos outside, you should be working your arse off trying to fix things, and if need be the best example for your people and for what it means to be an elected official in a democracy, SERVING YOUR PEOPLE AND USING THEIR TAX DOLLARS WISELY... might well be you having nothing but a card table and a fold up chair!"  That would be how you could really show those people of Iraq what good governance and democracy is about.  
 
It sickens me to hear our Republican politicians talk the talk of smaller, conservative, efficient, cut taxes government, cutting Democrats down at every slightest hint of possible waste... and then have those very same conservatives possibly turn around and ask to fund something that we all know is really only about vanity.  And not vanity in a "good way" aka, setting a positive example for good, moral governance, but shallow "surface" vanity pure and simple.

 If private businesses, donors, etc. want to donate to fund this project, sure, fine.  Otherwise, sell the building, or sell it for scrap, whatever, and then build something else for less than the repair costs would be and that costs less to maintain and run.  That would show the world that we are not just a government and state that talks the talk, but one that also walks the walk.  Modern, efficient, effective, moral government.      

[AquaMan]

Glass buildings and card tables? Sorry, I love that building. I've visited it several times over my life and always have been impressed. It was just "standard public building" when it was built with standard reverence for quality workmanship, materials and style.

Although I understand the need for frugal, efficient government, tearing down public structures that need deferred maintenance and replacing them with utilitarian steel and glass boxes would imply that art, history, architecture, sophistication and a physical reverence for democracy are frills we don't need. If so don't bother with statues or monuments either. Unless we can somehow make them pay for themselves.

[ZYX]

While I'm generally pro smaller government, I can't imagine doing away with the grandeur of government buildings. I love the tradition and reverance that is associated with government. The history contained in the buildings is absolutely fascinating as well.

There are many things that could be done away with. Beautiful and historic buildings are not one of them.

[Townsend]

Oklahoma Capitol Building Under Construction
This photo, taken by a 4 year old in 1916, shows the Oklahoma City capitol building under construction.



http://okc.about.com/od/factsandinformation/ig/Historic-Photos-of-OKC/Under-Construction.htm

Oklahoma City Capitol Oil Well
A producing oil well sat in front of the Oklahoma City capitol building for some time, as evidenced by this photo taken in 1939.



Now:




And at this time next year if we don't get a move on: