OK Capitol Building Woes Continue After Failed Bond Measure

Oklahoma's State Capitol building has been crumbling for months, and now it looks like it will continue after house members overwhelmingly voted down a $200 million dollar bond issue to fix the structure.

The south view of the Oklahoma Capitol is one many would argue has hardly been picturesque lately.

"I think it represents what people visiting think of Oklahoma and I think it should be a point of pride," said Troy Messer who works at the Capitol.

"I just really wish they would fix it up," agreed Tina Hannah.

Last September, the Department of Central Services realized water had been getting behind the limestone veneer of the capitol for years and corroding the tie-back clips that hold the limestone to the building. Now the limestone is falling off the building. 

5/22/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Lawmakers To Vote On Funding Improvements At State Capitol

"It needs some tender loving care. It's nearly 100 years old. There's never been any serious maintenance on the exterior of the building," said John Morrison, Administrator of the Department of Central Services.

Morrison says the longer they wait to fix the building, the worse the problem is going to get, and more expensive to fix. In addition to the outside of the building he says the plumbing, electric, and air conditioning also need serious repair.

"There's just a lot of things, once every 100 years, we ought to do," said Morrison.

But until the agency gets the money, they will do their best to make sure the capitol is safe even if it isn't pretty.

"We're going to continue to maintain and patch the building and take care of it just as we do now," said Morrison.

The bond failed after some argued it was fiscally irresponsible to borrow that much money while the state was considering tax cuts.