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. 

Major Building Renovations Needed At State Capitol

SOURCE: WCCO

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — The roof is leaking, and the furnace needs replacing. It’s a common lament for thousands of Minnesota homeowners.

But it’s happening at Minnesota’s biggest house, the State Capitol. At more than a century old, Minnesota’s most visible landmark has seen better days.

Several years of patch-up repairs won’t work anymore.

That’s why there’s a plan in the works for a massive overhaul that could actually force everyone to move out and close the Capitol for years.

There’s a leaky dome, heavy water damage and pieces of the building are literally falling off.

“Last session we had canopies over the doorways,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl, (R) Litchfield. “So that if rocks fell down they wouldn’t hit us on the head.”

Urdahl is helping lead a massive renovation of the 105 year-old Capitol, which he said is at a tipping point.

“We have leaky roofs, leaky pipes, our beautiful murals and paintings are water-stained. What does that say about us as a state?” he asks.

When it was completed in 1905, Minnesota’s Capitol was a classic of modern design. But nowadays, miles of wires are exposed in open ceilings.

The hallways are cramped, there are accessibility problems and fire safety concerns. Even the historic chandelier is down for cleaning and repair.

A high-level Capitol renovation committee is making far reaching plans for the outdated ventilation and heating systems, wiring and plumbing.

It’s an extreme makeover that will force the governor and legislature to vacate the building for years.

“It’s going to be a major, major disruption,” said Mark Dayton, the first-year Democratic governor. “You liken it to maybe an interstate highway project that takes three four five years. It’s major disruption and dysfunction.”

Built for $4.5 million, the price tag to build the same State Capitol today would be $1 billion. The renovation would cost up to $300 million, staged over 10 years.

Much of the work that is planned is out of public view: Heating and ventilation systems, extensive wiring updates and plumbing.

It would be by far the most extensive renovation in more than a century. The people behind it will say when the renovation iscomplete it will last for 100 years.

“This is the people’s building,” said Urdahl. “This is the most important building that the people own in the state of Minnesota. And if we can’t maintain the people’s building as a symbol of the state, then I think we are in a pretty sad state of affairs.”

Pictures from this week at Capitol

Those are from wha been happening this week at Capitol also testing to see if it get from my Android phone to blog.

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY WHEN YOU ARE AT THE CAPITOL

By Rachel Eggert

After hearing news about State Senator Mike Jungbauer being hit by car when he was out for his daily jog on Capitol Complex this morning, I wanted to remind people PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY when you are looking for parking spot or just drive through the complex.

This time of the year Legislators, staff, media and whoever walk on Capitol complex outside instead of indoor tunnel due to better weather and not too cold.

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY! It is for safety of Legislators, Lobbyists, Employees, and whoever are on the complex. When you are driving around, please think of Senator Jungbauer as a reminder to drive safe!

Rep. Kim Norton's Capitol History and Tour

Here is video of my co-worker and friend, Rep. Kim Norton's video on history and tour of Capitol. It shows area that are usually off limits to the public that at the end of session, tour was only shown to Capitol employees like myself, legislators and their families. You will be hearing voices of my friends and co workers Kim, John the Capitol security guy, and Minnesota Legislature hardcore fan John Kaul.

Kim is explaining the history of Capitol building if you are into history or just a fan of the building itself.

I have gone on similar tour with John the security guy couple of times when working overnight or on weekend during final days of regular legislative session with my coworkers. I have been inside the dome, on top of the dome, and inside rotunda on the catwalk. The view was really awesome if the weather are nice but lot of walking on stairs and worth it. When I was on top of dome, I could see everything that inculdes skyline of Downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul, University Avenue, and pretty much everything. On the roof of the Capitol look like skate park which would be perfect place for skateboarders.

Only area that are off limits to the public tours are on top of dome and catwalk inside of rotunda but it is worth to watch the video yourself unless you are working at the Capitol like myself.

Thanks John Kaul for making this video. He is one of my regular so I see him every session day. He also takes really awesome pictures if you have seen his projects.

A historic lowering of the State Capitol Rotunda chandelier

By Mike Kaszuba, Star Tribune

As cameras recorded the event, the one-ton State Capitol Rotunda chandelier was lowered Tuesday evening for the first time since 1979.

Officials said the chandelier was lowered to prepare for work on the Capitol dome that will begin this fall, and said the chandelier appeared to be in good shape with all 92 of its heavy-grade light bulbs still working. A small gathering of officials from the Minnesota Historical Society watched as the crystal chandelier was lowered 142 feet from the top of the rotunda to just above the rotunda floor.

"It's just dirty, dusty," said Brian Pease, site manager of the State Capitol for the state historical society. After a quick inspection, the chandelier was raised back up to the ceiling. It will be lowered again this fall, and cleaned over a three-to-four-day period.

Pease said Tuesday's exercise was mainly to see how easily the chandelier could be lowered. "This was basically just a trial run," he said.

The chandelier, which is just over six feet wide, was installed at the Capitol in 1904 -- Pease said Tuesday's lowering was likely just the third or fourth time it had ever been lowered.

The chandelier is only lit on special occasions -- on statehood day each year, when a new governor is inaugurated, when the body of a notable person is lying in state in the Capitol rotunda and for other rare events. Pease said the chandelier is probably lit only 50 to 60 hours annually.

Pictures from 2010 Annual Senate Potluck

I attended 2010 Annual Senate Potluck yesterday since I work at the Capitol and here are some pictures I took.

PAWLENTY'S FINAL STATE OF THE STATE SET FOR FEB 11 AT CAPITOL

Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Gov. Tim Pawlenty will deliver his final State of the State address at the Minnesota Capitol on Feb. 11.

The Republican governor's office says he will make the speech in the House chamber, just down the hall from his office.

Pawlenty is serving the last year of his second term.

After ruling out a third term last year, he formed a national fundraising committee and has been traveling the country speaking to Republican audiences.

Minnesota Capitol adds Somali to list of languages

Source: Pioneer Press

Associated Press

Updated: 09/01/2009

Somali-speaking visitors to the Minnesota State Capitol can now pick up a brochure in their language to guide them around the building.

The Minnesota Historical Society has added Somali to a list of about two dozen translations for the brochures, which cover the building's history and uses as the seat of state government.

Brochures are available in languages ranging from Spanish and Russian to Slovak, Thai, Swedish and Turkmen. There are also Braille and large-print versions.

The Capitol will mark its 105th birthday in January

Vietnam veterans get their due at State Capitol

Source: KARE11

June 14, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Aircraft flyovers, vintage cars, memorabilia and thousands of military veterans filled the Minnesota Capitol grounds Saturday to honor those who served in the Vietnam War.

Veterans groups and the state Department of Veterans Affairs called it the largest Vietnam veteran event in state history. The full day of activities included the dedication of a Minnesota Medal of Honor plaque.

Sixty-three-year-old Carzell Payne said it gave him something that was missing when he returned from Vietnam in 1968.

He said, "Today I can take away that I finally had a homecoming. A heartfelt homecoming."

Almost 1,100 Minnesotans died in the Vietnam conflict.

This year, Minnesota marked its first Vietnam Veterans Day in response to a new law passed in 2008. It falls on March 29.

Local government lobbying up 10 percent last year

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

Last update: June 10, 2009

Last year, local governments spent $8.5 million lobbying at the State Capitol, an increase of nearly 10 percent over what they spent in 2007.

The State Auditor's annual report on local government lobbying also found that associations representing those entities spent another $4.6 million on lobbying, most of it funded through dues.

That also represents an increase of nearly 10 percent, compared to a year earlier.

Among local governments, the City of Minneapolis spent the most last year -- $401,551 -- followed, in order, by Hennepin County, St. Paul, Anoka County and the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

Cities and counties spent about two-thirds of the $8.5 million on lobbying. School districts, led by those in Minneapolis and St. Paul, spent about 10 percent of the total. Other local entities spent about one-fifth.

By comparison, 1,274 registered lobbyists spent more than $60 million last year lobbying the legislature and state agencies, according to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. That amount includes an undetermined amount of money local governments paid to professional lobbyists.

Statewide historic Disability Rally

I got an e-mail that there will be a rally at the Capitol tomorrow (Saturday March 3rd). It is Statewide Disability Rally. I will try to make it there.

Details on the Rally

Rach's day at the Capitol

Hello folks, I know I wanted to write about my day at the Capitol a couple of days ago but I had other things to do away from computer so I am back and writing about my day at the Capitol for State of the State Address.

The day was really cold with subzero weather and less ideal to take city bus but I still had to take bus since its my mode of transportation. It took me 1 1/2 hour, three buses, avoided two car in ditches and two spinning cars on the way but I made to the State Capitol by 10:30 AM so I could be warmed up and ready to meet my friend, Rep. Marsha Swails by 11:00 AM in Rotunda.

When I got upstairs to the Rotunda area, not many people just a couple of lobbyists and a capitol tour guide plus a couple of security folks with a bomb sniffing dog. They all was happy to see me again.

After meeting Rep. Swails, we went upstairs to DFL Caucus meeting for House members and on the way to the caucus, people was surprised to see me back and some was thinking that I was at the Capitol to work. I sat in between of two good friends: Reps Erin Murphy and Jeff Hayden. The room was totally packed full with House members from DFL party. Rep, Tony Sertich and Mindy Geriling was speaking about what to expect from Governor's speech. When they asked if there was any announcements, Rep, Swails stood up and told everyone in the room that I was there as her guest and that I am no longer working at the Capitol and said some good stuff about me such as how I consider the Legislature and its members as my own family. Everyone was looking at me and exploded in applause and some waved to me. After the caucus meeting, I joined rest of House DFL members going into chamber and more people was happy to see me.

I walked in hallway as if I was one of legislator (hence I was given nickname "Legislator" years ago) and people just respected me. We got into House Chamber, I shook some people hands and I greeted Legislative Security Officers and Sergeant at Arms officers. Rep, Swails showed me where she usually sit on House floor so we sat down for awhile. Few moments later, Rep. Swails wanted to take me into House Retiring Room so I could see more of my friends and we had cup of hot chocolate and tea. We returned to our seat, and more people came up to me and talked to me. Been getting hugs, high fives, kisses on cheeks, shook hands all day- Everyone missed me because I have been there for three legislative sessions as employee and I always help them out with what they needed such as with re-election campaigns or anything they need.

We had to sit down when speech started. We had to hear what the Governor had to say, and he rather to do kitchen table approach to deal with budget. You may read text of his speech on other article I wrote. Interesting that GOP Caucus members applaud hands more than we did because since I am DFL so I have to follow what our caucus do.

After the speech, more people approached me and I had to leave quickly because my friend and I was going to have lunch so we just left and since it was very cold to take bus and it was nice of friend to drive me home before committee meeting started. People in Legislative community do help each other in time of need. As what Rep. Swails said in the caucus that day, I do consider them my one big happy family even if we don't agree on things and bickering for hours.

It was nice to be back at the Capitol and yes I do really miss working at the Capitol. I will be back at the Capitol from time to time during session. I am proud to be part of the legislative community and have been for many years.

Governor Pawlenty set to deliver State of the State Address

State of the State Address date has set. It will be on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at noon in the House of Representatives Chamber at the State Capitol in St. Paul. Only members and their ticketed guests will be able to watch the speech live. It will be broad casted on TPT Channel 17.