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The three-year marble repair project is a major milestone in the Capitol’s restoration, to be completed in 2017
10/12/2016 9:36:50 AM
Minnesota Department of Administration
St. Paul — The Minnesota State Capitol Restoration Project reached a significant milestone today with the installation of the last piece of replacement marble in the building’s façade. The exterior marble restoration and repair process that began in May 2013 concluded this morning with the final marble repair being made in an arch above the building’s South Steps.
“We are pleased that the white marble facade of the Minnesota State Capitol’s is now fully restored and will once again shine for Minnesotans and visitors,” said Administration Commissioner Matt Massman. “Completing the marble restoration is a key milestone toward returning this great landmark to its former grandeur from a building that was literally falling apart. I commend the successful collaboration between the state, designers, artisans, and construction workers that made this happen.”
The State Capitol, originally designed by Cass Gilbert, was constructed with over 30,000 pieces of White Georgia Marble. To date, nearly 6,000 new replacement pieces have been installed, and approximately 20,000 other repairs have been completed.
"The monumental coordination of partners and craft persons on-site and around the world over three years is amazing,” said Jason McMillen, Senior Project Manager for JE Dunn, the general contractor for the restoration. “We are pleased to be a part of this historic project.”
“The design team from HGA Architects and Wiss, Janner, Elstner Associates, Inc. is proud to have had the opportunity to develop the comprehensive repair strategy for the historic Cass Gilbert masterpiece,” said Michael Bjornberg, lead historic architect.
Most marble repairs focused on restoring elements that help the building shed water. Additionally, select decorative features were recreated to restore the building’s architectural integrity. Of primary concern were overhanging sculptural elements, the most decorative and character-defining features on the building, where the extent of deterioration had progressed to the point of a potential safety hazard to building visitors.
The exterior marble repair is part of a comprehensive four-year restoration of the entire State Capitol building. The shrouding and scaffolding around the Dome will soon come down, new sidewalks will be poured, and a new pedestrian walkway replacing the former Aurora Avenue on the south side of the Capitol will be finished. The Capitol will reopen on January 3 for the 2017 legislative session. The Governor's Office, Legislative Chambers, Supreme Court Chamber, Attorney General’s Office, hearing rooms, the Rotunda, and public spaces will be fully functional for the 2017 legislative session, although some interior and exterior restoration work will continue through Summer 2017.
Construction work that will continue into 2017 includes removing temporary parking lots and installing new landscaping, repairing and replacing the copper portions of the roof, and completion of plaster repairs, decorative painting, installation of light fixtures and other details.
A multi-day Grand Opening celebration is planned for fall 2017 to celebrate the completion of this historic restoration, the Minnesotans who made it possible, our rich diversity, and our shared future.
Learn more about the historic restoration of the Capitol and see photographs of the work at mn.gov/capitol-restoration
