© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Oregon Capitol Renovation Would Include Seismic Upgrades

Oregon's state capitol building could soon undergo a massive renovation. It's a project so big, lawmakers would have to use a temporary capitol for more than three years.

Senior project manager Tary Carlson said the idea is to help the Depression-era capitol building withstand a major earthquake.

"When this was built 76 years ago, they did not design for lateral forces of a seismic event such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone,” he said.

So what would be left if the Big One hits?

"A pile of rubble,” Carlson said.

To avoid that, the nearly $300 million project would install dozens of base isolators underneath the building. They're meant to cushion the marble edifice during a major quake. The renovation would also make the building more accessible.

Lawmakers will vote on whether to approve the plans during their session next year. If approved, construction would begin in the spring of 2016 and last about three years. While the building is closed, lawmakers would meet in a different state-owned building about four blocks from the current capitol.

The public can view and comment on renovation plans during an open house in Hearing Room A of the capitol building on Wednesday, December 10.

This image shows a cross-section of the capitol building showing the base isolators along the lower level.
/ Oregon Legislature
/
Oregon Legislature
This image shows a cross-section of the capitol building showing the base isolators along the lower level.
Planners review material related to the proposed  renovation of the Oregon capitol building.
Chris Lehman / Northwest News Network
/
Northwest News Network
Planners review material related to the proposed renovation of the Oregon capitol building.
 Base isolators like this one would be used to stabilize the capitol building in the event of an earthquake.
/ Oregon Legislature
/
Oregon Legislature
Base isolators like this one would be used to stabilize the capitol building in the event of an earthquake.

Copyright 2014 Northwest News Network

Chris Lehman graduated from Temple University with a journalism degree in 1997. He landed his first job less than a month later, producing arts stories for Red River Public Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana. Three years later he headed north to DeKalb, Illinois, where he worked as a reporter and announcer for NPR–affiliate WNIJ–FM. In 2006 he headed west to become the Salem Correspondent for the Northwest News Network.