Renovations, relocations underway at capitol

There’s a lot going on at the state capitol building. Not only are we gearing up to start the 2020 legislative session that will begin on Jan. 8 but over 20 senators and staff will be moving office locations. These office moves are a result of the renovation project to update the heating and air conditioning system from steam to an HVAC system.

Geothermal wells were dug a few blocks away and have completed digging about half of the needed wells. When completed there will be 225 wells and will feature a closed-loop system.

The current heating and cooling systems are more than 50 years old. Additional projects include: fire sprinklers added to offices, the fire alarm system was updated, the windows were updated to be energy-efficient, and the outer hallways had dropped ceilings removed which allows for more natural light. In the offices, the walls were repainted and new carpet was installed in order to return the capitol to its original color scheme.

In order to keep the capitol open and as many offices as possible within the building, restoration will be completed in phases going quadrant by quadrant. The southwest quadrant was in phase 1 and was recently completed.

This is a lengthy undertaking and it’s not expected to be completed until 2025.

In the early 2000s, the exterior of the capitol went through an extensive multi-phase restoration which was completed in 2010. Some of the restorations included the sower, bronze windows, the copper roofs, masonry at the tower, base, and courtyards. Our state capitol is a historic landmark and these repairs and rehabilitation are vital to preserving our capitol.

My current office, room 1210, is located in the phase 2 quadrant my office will start moving into room 1117 next week and should be in that office for the next 18 months. After phase 2 is completed we will be moved back into room 1210. We will then move the office back into room 1210 after phase 2 is completed. Our phone number will remain the same.

Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have. My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805. You can read more about bills and other work of the Legislature at www.nebraskalegislature.gov, and you can click on the Live Video Streaming NET logo to watch sessions, hearings, and other Capitol events