Capitol Dome To Go Under Wraps Until 2014

Jan 25, 2012 by kcarroll

Denver, CO (Jan 25, 2012) – The Colorado State Capitol dome is going under wraps.

 Weather permitting, contractors for the State’s ongoing Capitol dome restoration effort will begin placing a protective, weatherproof wrap or “scrim” around the dome today to prepare for the next stage of the renovation and repair project. Once the scrim is in place, four massive banners will be placed against it promoting the Share in the Care Colorado campaign that is raising funds for the project.

Restoration of the dome became necessary after water infiltration and Colorado’s intense freeze-thaw cycle caused the exterior metal surfaces to deteriorate substantially over the past 100 years. The deterioration created unsafe conditions that forced closure in 2006 of the outside observation deck, long a popular destination for Colorado school children and other Capitol visitors.

The new wrap and banners will create a white covering around the dome and the scaffolding surrounding it. The wrap will remain until restoration is completed in the summer of 2014 to protect the dome and restoration crews from the elements.

“We’re excited to enter this phase of the restoration,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said.  “When we next see the Capitol dome, it will be structurally sound and beautifully restored to its iconic place in Colorado’s history.”

Hickenlooper added, “We are grateful to the many businesses, nonprofits and individuals throughout the State who are helping to support this important project.”

State Architect Larry Friedberg with the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration is managing the restoration project, while Colorado Preservation Inc. is overseeing the fundraising campaign Share in the Care Colorado.

Leading a host of generous donors and project sponsors are AngloGold Ashanti and the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co. in Teller County, which is donating the gold leaf that will be applied to the restored dome. Radius Media Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiary Sign Language, is donating the large banners that will cover the dome during restoration. Additional partners, donors and sponsors are listed at www.ShareintheCareColorado.org and include AngloGold Ashanti, N.A., Colorado Mining Association, KUSA/9News, the Colorado Education Association, Comcast, KEZW and KOSI radio, CBS Outdoor, AT&T Colorado, BP America, mGive, Colorado Humanities, Circuit Media and Havey Productions.

 

Dome Under Wraps

“Radius Media Holdings is pleased to offer support to help rebuild the dome,” John C. Greenwood, CEO of Radius Media Holdings, Inc. said. “Through our large format printing company Sign Language, we will be donating the scrim and printing which will cover the dome during the repairs. As a Colorado company employing more than 100 people from our Denver headquarters, we are proud to assist this important statewide effort.”

 

FACT SHEET:

The Colorado State Capitol and Dome: A Brief History

There is no more important symbol of the past, present and future aspirations of the people of our State than our venerable Colorado State Capitol Building and its magnificent gold-plated dome.

The Colorado State Capitol Building and dome were designed by Elijah E. Myers in 1885 and constructed by contractors W.D. Richardson (1886-1888) and Geddis & Seerie Stone Co. (1889 through completion.) The Capitol, known as “the people’s house,” was built on 10 acres of land donated in 1868 by hotelier Henry C. Brown.

The project was considered complete in 1908 when gold leafing was applied to the cast-iron, copper-clad, 42-foot diameter dome. Miners donated 200 ounces of 24-karat gold to gild the dome. A cast-iron lantern and four-foot diameter glass globe top the dome, making the entire structure 272 feet high.

 

Overview:  Colorado Capitol Dome Restoration Project

Although the Capitol dome has had continuous maintenance over the past 100 years, the weather conditions in Colorado have taken a toll on the structure.  Water infiltration and the intense freeze-thaw cycle of the Colorado climate have caused extreme rusting of the metal surfaces and weakened the metal fasteners that hold the hundreds of pieces of the architectural assembly together on the circular tower below the dome.  The outside observation deck has been closed to all visitors since a large portion of cast-iron cladding fell on it when fasteners failed in 2006.

The incident prompted immediate assessments of the overall condition of the cast-iron facade, fenestration and to a lesser extent the gold leafing on the dome, resulting in recommendations for extensive repairs. A full forensic investigation was recommended prior to the repairs to determine actual scope and cost of the restoration.

Upon completion of the forensic investigation in April 2011, the Colorado legislature approved funding the $17 million restoration with four appropriations over three years. Internal reinforcing of the dome’s roof/attic structure (to support scaffolding) and construction of scaffolding around the Capitol began in January 2012 and restoration work will begin in February 2012.

The Capitol Dome Restoration Project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2014. During that time the circular tower and the dome above it, as well as all of the architectural details that decorate the dome’s surfaces, will be restored.  Restoration will include removing paint and rust, repairing or – in some cases removing and replacing – deteriorated cast iron, replacing 110-year old bolts with secure metal fasteners , repainting the exterior of the circular tower, and restoring the windows.  In addition contractors will restore the deteriorated gilded copper dome roofing and apply new gold leaf donated by AngloGold Ashanti and the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company in Teller County.

During restoration, according to State Architect Larry Friedberg, the dome will in effect be shrink-wrapped in a heavy duty, white fabric that will adhere to the scaffolding and which can withstand the elements and completely seal the dome while contractors remove and replace the paint and repair the damaged materials.

Once the lower portion of the tower has been sealed, giant banners will be placed on all four sides of the Capitol promoting the Share in the Care Colorado campaign that is raising funds for the restoration. The mesh banners, donated by Radius Media Holding Inc.’s Sign Language, each measure 30 feet by 28 feet and are constructed with 11-ounce reinforced mesh fabric.

Leading the team of contractors that will restore the Capitol dome is   GH Phipps Construction Cos. of Colorado. GH Phipps also led the recently completed State Capitol Life Safety project.  Other contractors include:

• Christman Company, Michigan, associate contractor.  Christman is also restoring the U.S. Capitol dome and restored the Michigan State Capitol building, which has a cast-iron dome designed by Elijah E. Myers, the same architect who designed the Colorado State Capitol.

• Martin/Martin Inc., Colorado, prime A/E design consultant

• Quinn Evans Architects, Michigan, lead historic restoration architect (sub to Martin/Martin). Quinn Evans designed the restoration of the Michigan State Capitol building, which has a cast-iron dome designed by Elijah E. Myers, the same architect who designed the Colorado State Capitol.

• Humphries Poli Architects, Colorado, associate restoration architects (sub to Martin/ Martin).

Those who wish to support the Capitol Dome Restoration Project may do so in several ways:

• Text the word DOME from any wireless phone or device to 50555 to make a $10 donation that will be added to your next phone bill.
• Donate online at www.ShareintheCareColorado.org.
• Send a check payable to the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund, c/o Colorado Preservation Inc., 2100 Downing St., Denver, CO 80205.
• Attend the national premiere of the film Centennial Statehouse: Colorado’s Greatest Treasure, Friday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Colorado Convention Center.  The film showcases the magnificent history of the Colorado Capitol and brings to life the stories of those who built it and have worked in it. Proceeds from this event will support distribution of the film to schools and libraries throughout Colorado as well as restoration of the dome. Visit www.ShareintheCareColorado.org for full event details.
• Corporations and foundations may inquire about sponsorship opportunities by contacting Colorado Share in the Care Campaign Strategy Director Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod at kasia@shareinthecarecolorado.org.