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2-year Renovation Starts for Capitol's Famous Dome.....

MMC

MMC

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A world-famous symbol of democracy is going under cover, as workers start a two-year, $60 million renovation of the U.S. Capitol dome.

Curved rows of scaffolds, like Saturn's rings, will encircle it next spring, enabling contractors to strip multiple layers of paint and repair more than 1,000 cracks and broken pieces. The dome will remain illuminated at night and partly visible through the scaffolding and paint-capturing cloths. But the Washington icon -- and portions of the Rotunda's painted ceiling that lies below -- will be significantly obscured for many months.

This first major renovation in more than 50 years should add decades of structural integrity to the dome, which Ayers calls perhaps "the most recognizable symbol across the globe." The $60 million undertaking will heal inner wounds, he said, without changing the way the dome looks from the ground.

After a 1990 rainstorm left puddles on the Rotunda's stone floor, workers found that bird nests had clogged gutters atop the Capitol, helping water penetrate outer walls and streak interior surfaces. Then they found bigger problems. Hundreds of cracks and pinholes in the cast iron exterior added to the seepage.

Pans now capture the water. Congress finally agreed to spend $60 million for a better, more lasting solution.

"It is the symbol of our country," Hildebrand said. "It is an icon that has to be preserved."

Before repairing water damage inside the Rotunda, workers will hang a giant doughnut-shaped drop cloth just below the painted ceiling. Rotunda visitors whose necks can stand the crane will still see "The Apotheosis of Washington" through the doughnut hole. The 4,664 square-foot painting, 180 feet above the Rotunda floor, depicts George Washington becoming god-like, aided by figures from classical mythology.....snip~

2-year renovation starts for Capitol's famous dome

Only 60 million to spruce up.....2 years to finish. Thoughts on the issue?
 
I'd say 60 million is low balling it, such an undertaking is bound to have cost overruns.

But structures require maintenance from time to time and especially one as old and with the material makeup of the Capitol building and in particular the dome, which was more of an aesthetic choice Than a practical one.

My current hotel was built 30 years ago and we'll soon be renovating but the previous owner of 28 years never touched it, even at 30, water gets into rooms and hallways after heavy rainfall.

There was a story not too long ago about Canada's parliament building and how structurally buggered it is because of its age and materials.
 
It's so good to know the rich and special people in DC get to spend money on themselves rather than bother with the citizens of the nation and the issues they face.
 
Arbo said:
It's so good to know the rich and special people in DC get to spend money on themselves rather than bother with the citizens of the nation and the issues they face.
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Cmon now......this is about a Representation of Democracy. It must always be Shiny and at Least Newish Looking. :lol:
 
MMC said:
Cmon now......this is about a Representation of Democracy. It must always be Shiny and at Least Newish Looking. :lol:
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If it is about representation, then it should be like the whole nation, crumbling and falling apart.
 
I would never take any remodel job on a fixed price basis (time and materials basis only) but, then again, $60 million leaves plenty of wiggle room. ;)

I just got back from an "emergency" job. A new tenant claimed that a vertical sliding window in their mobile home would not shut. The landlord came by to tell me of this situation about 30 minutes ago. It turned out to be nothing but operator error. Pull in the spring loaded pins on each side of the bottom sash and *presto* the window sash slides easily up or down; release the pins and it stops in pre-made slots in various places. It is amazing how dumb some people are.
 
Arbo said:
If it is about representation, then it should be like the whole nation, crumbling and falling apart.
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Nah......think Hollywood. Excess and DreamWorks. Then Botox. :lamo
 
I'm just wondering who got the contract and who selected the successful bidder using what criteria. That sort of thing is generally always mentioned when a large or very notable project is announced, but I couldn't find anything about it at all in the available information.

We know that the unworkable Obamacare exchanges and websites were designed by a friend of Michelle's from college who needed a quick 600 million from the taxpayers.
 
Ray410 said:
I'm just wondering who got the contract and who selected the successful bidder using what criteria.

We know that the unworkable Obamacare exchanges and websites were designed by a friend of Michelle's from college who needed a quick 600 million from the taxpayers.
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A more interesting thing would be to know who had the US Capitol building maintenance contract and allowed it to deteriorate to this extent. When I get a maintenance or "make ready" job I supply the customer a detailed list of observed defects and then let the customer decide which of them I should repair. Infrequently, I find defects that require skills (or permits) that I do not possess (e.g. electrical service panel upgrade or septic system repair is required) but make these defects known as well.
 
Maybe they are fixing it up in order to sell it. :doh
 
Why spend money to repair the outside of the building when it mirrors the inside so well?
 
Anyone think they'll find some Masonic secrets tucked away in there?
 
FINALLY, this administration has created some real jobs. OK, so it's temp work... it's still a paycheck.

Beautiful building. Hope they don't screw it up.

images
 
Smartmouthwoman said:
Well, somebody has to climb up on that scaffolding. Do you think they'll hire the same Canadians who built healthcare.gov?

Heaven help us.
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Well, I figure it will start out the same way that Obamacare did.....then after the first year we will be told, that it will cost us an additional 30 mil due to some glitches we came across.
 
MMC said:
Well, I figure it will start out the same way that Obamacare did.....then after the first year we will be told, that it will cost us an additional 30 mil due to some glitches we came across.
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As long as they don't paint it rainbow colors, I guess it'll be OK.
 
Only the worst of hacks can find a way to make the remodeling of the g-d capitol dome an issue to take partisan shots. Grow up.
 
Kobie said:
Only the worst of hacks can find a way to make the remodeling of the g-d capitol dome an issue to take partisan shots. Grow up.
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Either that.....or theres always the meek of the weak to whine and cry about something they don't like. Deal with it!
 
MMC said:
Either that.....or theres always the meek of the weak to whine and cry about something they don't like. Deal with it!
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Stuff like this is why you're impossible to take seriously. When you turn every petty little thing into some hyperpartisan Obama whinefest, it just looks silly. Like when you made the thread complaining about the Congressional Medal of Freedom ceremony.
 
Kobie said:
Stuff like this is why you're impossible to take seriously. When you turn every petty little thing into some hyperpartisan Obama whinefest, it just looks silly. Like when you made the thread complaining about the Congressional Medal of Freedom ceremony.
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Then again I could just be tired of all the BS talking the left has done and due to the way they play things.....like 5 years of it and now I feel the need to return the favor.

What now that the shoe is on the other foot, all of sudden the left can't handle it. Can't handle what they started with from the beginning. Can't handle the same tactics they use. Don't like the **** talkin and now you's want to whine and cry.

Save all that BS for someone that gives a damn.
 
MMC said:
Then again I could just be tired of all the BS talking the left has done and due to the way they play things.....like 5 years of it and now I feel the need to return the favor.

What now that the shoe is on the other foot, all of sudden the left can't handle it. Can't handle what they started with from the beginning. Can't handle the same tactics they use. Don't like the **** talkin and now you's want to whine and cry.

Save all that BS for someone that gives a damn.
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Ah yes, the "left" made you do it.

:roll:

EDIT: I found the bold especially laughable.
 
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Kobie said:
Ah yes, the "left" made you do it.

:roll:

EDIT: I found the bold especially laughable.
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Not even close.....I don't mind helping those from the lost flock with any reality.

Yeah I figured you would while sitting around on a computer. Par for the course.
 
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