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Oregon State Capitol Master Plan |  |
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| Vision and Goals | Project History | Vision and GoalsCAPITOL MASTER PLAN VISION STATEMENT When the work described in the master plan is complete: The Oregon State Capitol will be a working symbol of State government Themes expressed in workshops that lead to the Vision Statement Working Symbol of State Government
Unique Character, Spirit, and Heritage of Oregon
Inviting, accessible and safe
Symbol of Environmental Sustainability
CAPITOL MASTER PLAN GOALS Following are specific goals to be accomplished for the Capitol Master Plan:
Project History |
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Starting in the spring of 2008, the Oregon Legislature conducted a one-year project to develop a master plan for the Capitol. Development of the Oregon State Capitol Master Plan included evaluation of existing Capitol facilities and identification of current and future needs for the Capitol over the next 20 to 30 years. The completed master plan charts a course for use of the historic Capitol, and defines how future projects will continue efforts to restore the Capitol. Master planning work was conducted by SRG Partnership, an architectural firm based in Portland. A broad-based group of participants worked closely with SRG during the project, and oversight was provided by a governance group of legislators. The finalized master plan was presented to the Legislative Assembly during the 2009 session. Oregon's present Capitol has its origins in two fires.
The master plan studied the existing conditions and deferred maintenance at the Capitol. It also looked at how space is used, the future need for space, and strategies to respond to the needs. The plan is a road map of renovation projects to maintain both the original building and the Wings, and for strategies to provide for the future use of space so the Capitol can fulfill its roles as a monument, an office building, and the seat of Oregon’s government. The master plan was scheduled to be completed in June 2009. Oregon State Capitol Timeline
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"Historic continuity
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 Click here to go to the Oregon Legislative web site. |
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On December 30, 1855, fire swept through a newly occupied Statehouse,
completely destroying the structure. The Holman Building, in the
business section of Salem, served as a temporary Capitol from 1859
until another one was completed in 1876. On April 25, 1935, fire
again destroyed the elegant Statehouse patterned after the U.S.
Capitol. Francis Keally with the New York firm of Trowbridge &
Livingston designed the current building, which was dedicated October
1, 1938. A four-story structure of Modern Greek architecture, it
was completed at a cost of $2.5 million and is the 
fourth
newest Capitol in the United States. The exterior is faced with
white Danby Vermont marble. The rotunda, the halls, and all of the
lobby areas are lined with a warm, delicately polished Rose Travertine
from Montana. 
The
floor and staircases of the rotunda utilize large squares of Phoenix
Napoleon grey marble from Missouri with borders of Radio Black marble
from Vermont. The Capitol Wings, completed in 1977 at a cost of
$12.5 million, added further space for legislative offices, hearing
rooms, support services, a first floor galleria, and underground
parking. The beauty of the entire Capitol plan is enhanced by its
utility. Spacious hearing rooms provide Oregonians an opportunity
to participate in legislative decision making and to view state
government at work.
In the late 1990s, a series of health and safety issues were identified in the Oregon State Capitol Wings. Among these were defective water pipes, hazardous wiring conditions, a lack of adequate electrical circuits, and substandard heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) capabilities. A project to address these issues was approved by the Legislative Assembly in 2001; however, a downturn in the economy prompted a decision to reduce the scope of the work. As a result, renovations in 2002 were limited to Hearing Rooms A-F and the Galleria.
The 2007 Legislature, in response to a recommendation by the Public Commission on the Legislature, approved funding for the remainder of the renovation work. After an initial plan for replacing just the piping, wiring and ceiling in the Wings was developed, it was determined that it would be most cost effective to address additional areas of concern as part of the same project. Work on the Capitol Restoration Project began in September 2007. The Capitol Restoration Project was completed in November 2008, prior to the 2009 Legislature.
In addition to its recommendation for the Restoration Project, the Public Commission on the Legislature also recommended development of a comprehensive plan for all future Capitol renovations. The Capitol Master Plan Development Project began in 2008. Although master plans are typically established prior to major renovation work, the Restoration Project was begun in advance of the master plan due to the urgent nature of the health and safety concerns it addressed in the Wings.