Why Minnesota State Capitol lacks modernization, need major renovation and how to retain legislative fans

By Rach Eggert, Rach’s Political Report

·        Leaky pipes, cracked walls, peeling paint, poor air conditioner and heater, and there are canopies at the entrances. Even the chandelier is still in a box for viewing. Low fan turnout is even worse. 

  

   There are about 300 events a year but most of them occur during legislative session besides House and Senate sessions. It have been walked through by million of visitors a year. The building is wearing out and really need to have major renovation. 

Minnesota State Capitol has been getting renovated over the years. I have been working there since mid-2000’s even been going over to events since late 1990’s. Air conditioning and heater are very poor so when it’s too cold, I do have to wear sweatshirt or jacket during my shift or going to events.

Both Senate and House of Representatives had their major renovation in their respective chambers years ago even the cafeteria got major renovation like 15 years ago but what about rest of the building?

The Minnesota State Capitol Building is somewhat in bad shape like Target Center and Metrodome that need to be repaired inside but not torn down. I do love the Capitol building but sadly, it need more upgrades, modernity and renovation to meet the demand and needs of people.

Minnesota State Capitol should follow example of Target Center but one problem is that Friends of the Minnesota State Capitol have not done much and they should have done what Target Center renovation did to get words out like social network and get more media attention but sadly, media paid really little attention to what is really going on with the building since they only pay attention to Legislative sessions or Governor’s press conferences or some rallies or events but what about the building itself?

Session by Session, I have noticed there are more and more damage on the building as years progresses. My coworkers in other departments are aware that we do need to do something about it but who are going to pay for renovation? Since Capitol is in St. Paul and Ramsey County, I think that they should pay the share to renovate it. Target Field had good example of who paid to build and renovate the stadium, click here to see how Hennepin County and Twins paid to build Target Field. City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County should be partners to pay for renovation also Minnesota State Capitol’s major tenants, Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate should chip in to pay for the renovation.

Here are suggestion of other ways how it can be paid would be:

·        Businesses such as restaurants, bars and hotels around the State Capitol should use sale tax.

·        Merchandise sold at State Capitol and Minnesota History Museum should go to funding to help pay for renovation. They even should expand to clothing such as hoodies, t-shirts, anything related to Minnesota State Legislature just like Hockey Lodge sells Wild/Swarm merchandise and Twins Pro Shop sells Twins related merchandise.

·        Event Permit/booking Fee

·        Event tickets or entry fee

·        Start charging Legislative Session tickets (they can be single Session Day, 7 Session Days flex pack, partial and full season ticket packages).

·        Start charge people to rent rooms or floor if event is not sponsored by Legislature such as weddings or any private functions.

·        Start charging for tours. Target Field tours are $15, Metrodome tours are $4, Target Center tours are $1.

Not only renovation, they need to make some improvements around or modernize the Capitol from the years based on my observations to make it more fan friendly or accommodating even bring in more fans and revenue.

·        Loading docks need to be improved and making it more accessible such as change door size, change how things get delivered into the Capitol, make it little bigger because sometimes more than two trucks or one trailer are there. They only have one loading dock. When there are more than two trucks, they usually park somewhere else or circle  the City of Saint Paul until they are called to unload deliveries. Loading dock is made out of steel and people have to use stair to get on it and sometimes delivery items are too heavy for ramp so occasionally would use forklift or heavy manpower to unload and load the item. The loading dock is in parking lot but if there are many cars, how can truck fit in and venture around the parking lot? They need better permanent loading dock. Capitol lacks modernity. Deliveries usually consists food, items for events, and whatever Capitol or State of Minnesota need to be delivered to the Capitol.

·        Sears need to expand parking lot to make designated area for school and charter buses where they can go after dropping school children off due to safety on street and for city bus safety. Sometimes city buses have no place to drop or pick people up. Sometimes city buses do not see people due to school or charter buses blocking bus stops that cause people to miss bus.

·        Allow food service sell food and drinks on Capitol Mall just like Target Plaza and Vikings plaza where they sell food before and during games or events.

·        Better ticketing system for House or Joint Session such as State of the State Address. There should be “Will Call” and ticket booth. There should be different type of tickets such as for Gallery or Floor or Alcove. There should be a hotline number or website where people can order tickets.

·        Meet and Greet/Autograph sessions should be controlled better, depending on crowd size and there should be station where every celebrities could be seated and people form a line to get autograph around in hallways.

·        Expand more seating in Senate and House and have specific adjacent room if the floor sessions are “sold out”.

·        Captioning board similar to Target Field for announcements or play by play so deaf people who are there can know what are going on since sign language interpreters are usually only requested in advance.

·        Turn Capitol Mall into Plaza- Target Plaza is better example. Have put more benches where people can sit and relax.

·        Better concessions area and storage.

·        Improve on interaction area for Lobbyists, fans when House and Senate are in session.

·        Better break room for Capitol staff for ALL departments.

·        Has a store similar to “The Gym” at Target Center or Twins Majestic Clubhouse Store at the Target Field but at Capitol, it would be Minnesota Legislature or political related items such as books, posters, clothing, etc.

·        Better promotional schedule for example Minnesota Zoo Day on the Hill, and if it falls on Session Day, they should have something to give out such as school backpacks to first 200 children or a day in honor of old timer (ex: Roger Moe), they could give out 1,000 Roger Moe bobbleheads to first 1,000 in attendance. It could be magnetic calendar to first 2,000 people in attendance or poster on final days of session to show appreciation and have autograph session just like Minnesota Lynx usually do during last home game. List all recess entrainment (similar to halftime or in between of period shows) or anything like that are going to be played on the day of floor session.

·        Encourage public to bring in perishable food or toys for occasions like Toys for Tots or used coat that can be donated to food shelf or charity on session days. That would be good example if they do community service.

·        Give out free breakfast on Session Opening Day just like any pro teams on opening day. People could drive or walk up and get free donut and coffee.

·        Flat screen TVs and captioning board in galleries because most of time people who sit in House Gallery have hard time hearing or trying to see who speak on floor but there is obscure view, cannot see the whole floor.

·        They need to add more women bathrooms and make them look nicer. Those bathrooms look so depressing and really need some fixing.

·        Turn Capitol Cafeteria into restaurant just like Hubert’s inside Target Center or Headwater at the Xcel Energy Center.

There are some ideas I have in my head how we could pay for Capitol renovation and how to make the place more welcoming and bring in more fans and revenue. Wolves got Rick Rubio, Twins have new stadium, and Lynx have WNBA championship but what about Legislature? They do need more fans to come out and watch. I know sometimes floor sessions can be boring but it’s great way to interact with people and something to do in St. Paul besides Wild hockey or Swarm Lacrosse. I know most of my ideas won’t happen and several people may disagree with me but that is my opinion on how we can pay and improve success to the Legislature and Capitol.

They should do similar campaign like Target Center Renovation. Here is website for TC Renovation that would give my coworkers some ideas how they can renovate the Capitol.

People like me who love Legislature may like my ideas but I am sure they won’t be sitting well with my coworkers or maybe few ideas they would approve of.

If you have ideas or would like to discuss, feel free to post your comments. All comments are moderated.