It might be very useful and helpful here. Architects Bud Schorr, David Leavengood and Peter Bocek were frank and direct in their January predesign executive summary. Specifically, they noted that the building is unsafe, its infrastructure systems are failing, the roof and walls are leaking, the decorative stonework is eroding, spaces are overcrowded and, finally, the foremost symbol of Washington's statehood must be renewed and preserved. Pictures, sketches and diagrams reinforced these startling points, revealing some very serious interior and exterior conditions. This preservation project has, in fact, already been started.
Much more work is scheduled for coming years.
Several options were suggested for interior renovation, tracking ideas that emerged from earlier sounding-board meetings of the Renovation Committee and other internal focus groups representing people who work in the building. To relieve overcrowding, for example, the architects roughed out an idea for a new underground extension to the building that would be located adjacent to the south portico. This would provide a weather-protected link to legislative offices in the nearby Cherberg and O'Brien office buildings, as well as the Pritchard State Library. Visitors and tourists are another element requiring planning and attention at the Legislative Building. Tour guides, including many volunteers, are on hand to host these visitors.