Preserving Our State Capitol
Missouri is blessed to have one of the most intricate, beautiful and accessible capitol buildings in the entire nation. Few statehouses can compare to our Capitol’s gorgeous, towering architecture, its openness for the public to explore or the priceless detailed artwork that can be found lining its halls. However, the building requires upkeep to maintain its beauty, and renovations require funding.
As we near the building’s 100th birthday this year, the General Assembly passed House Bill 2017, which appropriates several funding requests for renovations at the Capitol. Of that amount, $346,152 is going toward much-needed stonework, window repair and other structural renovations – including an extensive rebuild of the stone and walkways on the front and sides of the building. For many years, inadequate drainage in the stonework of the building has allowed water to seep into the foundation and damage concrete. These renovations will not only fix that damage, they will also add new waterproofing materials to help protect the building from deterioration. The improvements should also make the Capitol a more pedestrian-friendly complex.
Nearly $75 million in general revenue money will go toward general repair and renovations to the Capitol and the surrounding grounds. We’ll be getting improved restroom facilities as well as better heating, ventilation and air conditioning throughout the building. Most of the renovations will be internal, so past and present visitors to the statehouse might not recognize all that much change, but these improvements will enable the Missouri Capitol to remain gorgeous for years to come.
The building is still open to the public during this summer interim, and I encourage all my 21st District neighbors to pay a visit to Jefferson City and take a Capitol tour. Walk your families through the exhibits in our free state museum, and learn about the rich history of Missouri. Take a walk through our outside sculpture gardens, and pay your respects at our law enforcement and Missouri veteran memorials. It truly is an awe-inspiring place to visit. I am honored to have an office in this historic building and would like to invite you all to stop by Room 227 should you ever come to visit.
As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or
(573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.
Senator David Pearce serves Caldwell, Carroll, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Ray and Saline counties in the 21st State Senatorial District