JoANNE YOUNG
Lincoln Journal Star
Remember those folks who rappelled down the gold-tile dome and tower of the state Capitol in the heat of July to inspect and report on the conditions they found?
No matter if you don't, you can read about it here .Ìý
But those rappellers from Vertical Access of Ithaca, New York, uncovered some problems that the Capitol Commission has decided need to be fixed. Monday, the commission met to move some money around to do just that.Ìý
The inspectors found that caulking applied to expansion joints in the dome in 2001 during a restoration project had deteriorated and was allowing water to seep into the dome at what Capitol Administrator Bob Ripley said was an alarming rate.Ìý
Listen now and subscribe: | | | |
In many places the caulking was gone, he said, and the joints, which allow movement during the freeze-thaw cycle of winter, were open to the weather. Some of the tile had been pushed out of place, and water was penetrating into the inner dome.Ìý
The commission transferred $181,000 for the stabilization work, which will be carried out by contractors who will rappel onto the dome and temporarily seal the joints. The caulk and tape solution, he said, will keep the gold tiles in place.
The project should be completed in October, weather permitting, Ripley said.ÌýÂ
The commission hopes to have some money left over from the stabilization project that can be used on the actual repair in the near future, he said.
Many views of Nebraska's state Capitol
Many views of Nebraska's state Capitol
Capitol in storm
The State Capitol as a storm rolls into Lincoln in 2017.
Courtesy photo
Capitol sunset
Capitol sunset in late November 2017.
Leo Torres, courtesy photo
Flowers
The Nebraska State Capitol from behind the governor's mansion.
Courtesy photo
Blue Capitol
The Capitol was lit up in blue to remember law enforcement on Jan. 11, 2019.
Courtesy photo
Cool sky
A great sky the evening of Sept. 17, 2015, over Lincoln.
DIGITAL SKY/Courtesy photo
The Sower
The Sower, forever primed to spread seed across Nebraska, sits atop the Capitol.
COURTESY PHOTO
Sunrise view
Sunrise view of the Nebraska State Capitol on Aug. 8, 2018.
Journal Star file photo
Rise building
The view of the Nebraska State Capitol from the third floor of the Rise building on the Nebraska Innovation Campus in October 2018.
Journal Star file photo
Snow features
A barely-visible Nebraska State Capitol provides a backdrop for snowfall on Oct. 14, 2018.
Journal Star file photo
State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol in 2011.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Holmes Lake sunrise
The Nebraska State Capitol basks in the early morning sun on Dec. 16, 2018.
Journal Star file photo
Snowman
A man and woman finish up their snowman in front of the Capitol in December 1974.Ìý
Journal Star file photo
State Capitol exterior
The Capitol in 2015.
Journal Star file photo
Fireworks
Fireworks explode over the Nebraska State Capitol to conclude the Nebraska 150 Celebration on Sept. 22, 2017.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Snowfall
The Nebraska State Capitol provides a backdrop for snowfall on Oct. 14, 2018.
Journal Star file photo
Smoke
Kansas fires send a haze across Lincoln in April 2017; this is the Capitol from Holmes Lake.
Journal Star file photo
Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol at night.
Courtesy photo
Sunrise over Lincoln
Sunrise over Lincoln, with the State Capitol silhouetted.Ìý
Journal Star file
Tractor Relay
Spectators gathered outside the Capitol in June 2017 to watch antique tractors rolling through Lincoln as part of the annual tractor relay across the state.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol was designed by Bertram Goodhue, and the project was completed in 1932. The art and architecture have long been a source of pride.
Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Canada geese
Canada geese take wing northwest of the Capitol at the Pfizer Saline Wetland interpretive walking trail Jan. 4, 2011.
Journal Star file photo
A view of the Capitol
A view of the Nebraska Capitol in 2016.
Journal Star file photo
Watchfulness quote on Capitol
The inscription by Hartley Burr Alexander, "The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen," hangs over the front portal on the north side of the Capitol.
Journal Star file photo
Nebraska Capitol Building
Clouds surround the Nebraska Capitol Building in 2011.
Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Assurity Building and Nebraska Capitol
Work continued on the Assurity Life Insurance Company's new headquarters building in 2011.
Journal Star file photo
Sower in full moon
The Sower atop the Nebraska Capitol appears against a full moon in 2006.
Journal Star file photo
Building boom
Construction cranes at the Pinnacle Bank Arena site vie for attention with the Capitol on Lincoln's skyline on Jan. 17, 2012.Ìý
Journal Star file photo
Snowy walk
"It's kind of fun," said Beca Voelker of Lincoln as she walks through the brisk wind and snow along 14th Street in front of the Nebraska Capitol building on Feb. 24, 2011.Ìý
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Lincoln monument
The Lincoln monument on the west side of the Capitol.Ìý
Journal Star file photo
Red Dress
Organizers lit the State Capitol red on Feb. 2, 2012, in recognition of Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman declaring Feb. 3 Wear Red Day in Nebraska during the Lincoln Red Dress Dash event in Lincoln.Ìý
Journal Star file photo
Storm
Clouds surround the Capitol after a severe thunderstorm passed through Lincoln on Aug. 6, 2011.Ìý
ANDREW LAMBERSON, for the Journal Star
State Capitol exterior
The Capitol in 2015.
Shelly Kulhanek
Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com .Ìý
On Twitter .
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!