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The doors

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Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)

* Laurence Msall of The Civic Federation (not to be confused with Ty Fahner’s Civic Committee) and Speaker Madigan spokesman Steve Brown were featured guests on Chicago Tonight earlier this week to discuss the west wing renovation. Go ahead and guess what part of that project took center stage…

* From a letter by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol dated August 20, 2013…

When originally designed, the main entrance to the Capitol was from the east through a long set of 37 steps up to the second floor of the building. These were removed before the building was officially opened when Architect W.W. Boyington converted the Basement into the First Floor. While the first floor doors were oak on the outside and black walnut on the inside, they were heavily carved with bronze ornamentation. Bronze is a metal made primarily of copper. As the western exposure and elements took their toll on the doors, they simply became inoperable and were replaced with a much simpler, non-historic door. In this renovation, we took the cue from the bronze ornamentation from the original doors, and clad a new wood door in copper to give it protection for a time period that should well exceed a century. Aside from an historic standpoint, Copper was chosen for its longevity, natural beauty and because of its tendency to patina to a brown that is similar to a US10B finish, or oil rubbed bronze, the standard finish for the building.

* New doors are mentioned in this project description from two summers ago. You will notice it does not say how exactly they would reflect the building’s history. Beyond the doors, there are much more costly differences between this document, what was being talked about before construction began, and the work that is nearing completion. For example, this document still includes an eatery in the basement and the renovation, not removal, of the Mezzanine. Those doors alone did not boost the listed bids from $43 million to $50 million. As Brown mentioned in the interview, some of that involves the removal of asbestos, which is not cheap.

But it’s the nearly $700,000 price tag on those doors that has quickly become the campaign issue…

“The governor is concerned about the architect’s judgment and some of his decisions,” Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said, adding her boss was “surprised” at the doors’ extravagant look when he first saw them.

“Gov. Quinn believes any capital project must always be conducted in a prudent and cost-effective manner, and it’s important for the architect to sit down with those he reports to and review these decisions,” she said.

More…

“The governor heads the board that approved this wasteful expenditure, so if the governor is not in charge, then who is running this state?” Daley said.

From Rutherford…

“I think that type of expenditure by whoever and however they did that is inappropriate at this — perhaps at any time — but particularly at this time,” Rutherford said at a news appearance on Thursday. “As the treasurer I just happen to hold the keys to that office at the present. They designed it. I will not move into it until it’s done.”

“My understanding,” Rutherford joked, “is those doors are not to the office of the state treasurer.”

Rutherford’s staff hardly had a chance to get settled into the Treasurer’s executive office before it was relocated to an adjacent office suite in the north wing.

* For those interested, or haven’t seen some of the work that has been done over at the Capitol, I snapped this picture a few weeks ago while moving between meetings. This is the new Press Briefing Room…

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 7:43 am

Comments

It’s ridiculous for these politicians to be attacking the cost of doors leading into the state capitol when we have so many larger problems in this state to worry about. If they didn’t read the description of the project when it was approved a couple of years ago then shame on them.

Comment by Stones Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 8:46 am
They’re supposed to last 100 years. If that’s true, then this is way cheaper than replacing/repairing them every few years.
There’s no story here.

Comment by Northsider Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:06 am
I have much more on my plate to be outraged about than the cost of the Capitol renovation.

It’s not even a sideshow of a sideshow.

Let’s try and keep our eyes on the ball.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:06 am
It’s a shallow attempt to stay relevant. As long as the “outraged” media pushes doors, guess who also has to talk about doors…

Comment by Mr. Jim Lahey Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:13 am
So the media are being moved down from 2M to the basement? I can’t wait to see how the new digs look.

Comment by Elo Kiddies Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:15 am
I hope Governor Quinn insisted that all construction work be done by union workers—no matter how expensive the cost overruns become nor the number of delays in the completion date wind out being. This is a union state and Governor Quinn needs to “shout that out” to the rest of the country. Illinois didn’t get the reputation of being “number one” in the country by being a right-to-work state. There should also be a “Proud Union Worker” sign in the yard of the Capitol. Say it loud Pat: We are Union and we are Proud”.

Comment by The Dragon's Breath Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:26 am
===Let’s try and keep our eyes on the ball.===

OK. How much does the ball cost?

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:30 am
–OK. How much does the ball cost?–

I’d say about the $16.1 billion in state income taxes deducted from individuals paychecks that support general operations.

As opposed to a $50 million project funded by bonds backed by video gaming, liquor taxes and plate fees.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:48 am
The new briefing room appears to be a historically accurate replica of a medieval dungeon. Are the stocks copper-plated too?

Comment by Reality Check Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 9:55 am
I was outraged by the cost per mile of road work in yesterday’s PJStar article. “of 7,500 miles in need of repair, two-thirds of which is considered in “bad” shape requiring at least $65 billion in necessary investment over the next five years.” That works out to about $8.5 a mile. That makes whole State House rehab worth less than 6 miles of road???

Read more: http://www.pjstar.com/opinions/ourview/x1343096167/Our-View-Roads-must-be-maintained-but-lets-face-it-theres-a-cost#ixzz2e7qZjGPY

Comment by 100 Miles West Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:10 am
Sorry, $8.5 MILLION!

Comment by 100 Miles West Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:11 am
Media has been delegated the basement now. Is that the dungeon in the photo before the chains are attached to the walls? Chaining a media person to the wall just inches away from their computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. would be pure torture!

Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:14 am
i was amortizing the doors, in my head, at about 50 years. with the expectation of a 100 year life, and the very attractive impression they start visitors with, i think they are worth it.

if only the legislative, and executive, product produced within matched their quality.

it is easy to latch onto and get “outraged” about, so thats what people do. construction plans often change when you get below the surface and see what the problems are. food service couldnt go into the basement anymore because the floor was grossly uneven–that problem had to be solved, so plans changed. if i recall correctly, some of the basement was originally used to protect horses from the elements.

Comment by langhorne Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:14 am
What are people expecting, a couple of 8 foot Pella or Marvin patio doors from Home Depot? How about some of those auto open slider doors that are common at many retail locations? Maybe put up some vinyl siding to fill in the space from the old door? The new doors are right for the building particularly for the level of remodeling done inside and what the building stands for.

Comment by zatoichi Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 10:29 am
This is a non story as far as I’m concerned. The continued “outrage” is almost laughable.

And, @100 Miles West - roads are pretty expensive. What do you think they should cost? Are you an engineer? I’m just asking because people often get “outraged” about things they don’t really know anything about.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:04 am
As the owner of a historic home, I know restoration of historic buildings is expensive. It often requires custom work because they are few craftsmen left today, And if you want it to last, you have to buy high quality materials.

Was it the best deal the State could have gotten? I don’t know but if the doors are from a reputable custom fabrication firm, then it was probably a fair price. A lot of those places will even somewhat low-ball a bid (and write it off as advertising expense) just so they can say their product was used on building xxx.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:04 am
After seeing the Press Briefing Room picture, I now have this image of reporters exiled to the catacombs with Squeezy slithering around them …

Comment by RNUG Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:07 am
The new press briefing room looks a bit like a cell block. Is the press being punished?

Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:33 am
As Word and others note, this is a non-issue except as follows:

Illinois Supreme Court (Hearing on the challenge to the constitutionality of the unilateral modification of the pension contracts):

STATE LAWYERS: Your honors, the state is broke. We don’t have any money, so we are invoking police powers to unilaterally abrogate the pension contract.

RETIREE LAWYERS: Your honors, if the state is as broke as they say, how is it that they have the money to pay $700,000 for a door? While we realize, your honors, that in terms of the billions at stake in this proceeding, $700,000 is a mere drop in the bucket, we contend that that expenditure is but one example of continued optional state spending that belies the state’s own belief in it’s contention that they are truly broke”.

ISC Justices (I’m paraphrasing here, of course): Oh, he’s got ya there Lisa! …

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:52 am
Perception is reality.

In this case, the perception is that Springfield is tone-deaf and out of touch with the other 99% of Illinoisans.

Any word yet on how much those chandeliers cost? Or the half-naked ladies at the end of the stairwell?

Any word yet on whether those doors, chandeliers, etc. could have waited another couple of years until our economy was back on track? Would the Capitol have collapsed if we just used the old doors for another year or two? They just had to be replaced now?

Try telling some of those losing Medicaid benefits, or those medically fragile children we are no longer helping, that the doors were a more pressing need than they are.

I’m sure they’ll just smile and agree… or maybe not.

Timing in life matters.

And this was atrocious timing.

Comment by Keep Calm and Carry On Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:57 am
I see there’s a bridge collapse in Jefferson County. Cost to repair: $600,000. Odd, how butterfly wings work.

Of course, someone could say apples and oranges, but I am afraid domelogic of your dismissal wouldn’t mean much if you’re living in Jefferson County.

Comment by Hat Trick Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 11:58 am
Public servant

Doors are more important than any greedy pensioner that’s worked 30plus years for the state.

Comment by Fed up Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:00 pm
@Hat Trick - I thought you were making some sort of joke at first, especially with the timing and the fact it would cost roughly the same as these doors.

Sadly, I see you were not: www.myfoxchicago.com/story/23357360/bridge-collapses-in-jefferson-county-no-injuries

Our noble leaders can’t even spend money from infrastructure funding properly.

“Whatever should we prioritize?

The bridge those common folks drive over every day? Or some nice new doors for us to walk through?

Eh.

Let the commoners take their chances on the bridge. I really like the look of those new copper doors compared to our current ones.

Doors it is!”

Comment by Keep Calm and Carry On Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:17 pm
$700,000 for doors… $0 for Pensions! Priceless!

Thanks Gov.

Comment by Union Man Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:21 pm
Demoralized. A decade or so ago a mile of interstate highway in Illinois was about a million dollars a mile. I just finished a small project with IDOT and it was expensive. I think there is more money to be found in asking do we need that bridge or road anymore? The doors are a non-issue.

Comment by 100 Miles West Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:26 pm
–Perception is reality.–

That’s a phrase that’s employed when you wish to ignore reality and go forward with your perception, anyway.

The reality is that the Capitol is a 19th Century palace.

You can argue that it’s an anachronism, and the GA could just as easily meet in some pole barn out in a bean field, and that would be true.

But if you’re going to have a palace, you might as well maintain it properly for the long run. Otherwise, what’s the point?

It’s an end-of-summer story, a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:28 pm
@100 miles:

Thank you

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 12:49 pm
“It’s an end-of-summer story, a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

I’m guessing those 600 thousand dollar door headlines as collages — not to mention the doors themselves –(and the headlines to come on the chandeliers, the furniture, etc.) will be nice B-roll to highlight government priorities. It’s such low hanging fruit. “Only uninitiated little people blow these things out of proportion,” he says, drying the clear coat on his manicure with a triple malt whisper.

Comment by Hat Trick Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 1:23 pm
While it’s true that the doors are just one example of state government spending huge bucks and account for a small percentage of the budget, the doors are no more a red herring than the Trib’s stories about a few people drawing huge public pensions. The truth, of course, is that the vast majority of workers have modest pensions.

But highlighting the worst of the worst is what the Trib, and others in the media, have used very successfully to drive public opinion about public workers and their pensions and how darn broke the state is. The copper doors just help paint a little different picture about the state’s financial situation — and the state’s fiscal priorities — regardless of whether they are a good deal pro-rated over their alleged 100-year lifespan.

Comment by Decaf Coffee Party Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 1:54 pm
Back when he was Secretary of State, Jim Edgar spent some money renovating the rose garden at the Governor’s mansion. When he ran for Governor in 1990, the only issue that really stuck to him was the rose garden. Hartigan had a TV spot featuring a buzzing bee flying around the rose garden with a narrator wondering where Edgar’s priorities were and how this waste of tax dollars was justified. Ultimately Edgar still won, but that ad left him slightly tarnished. I imagine there will be a door-themed ad coming soon, I only hope it’s as clever as Hartigan’s bee ad.

Does anybody else remember that?

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 2:18 pm
47, William Tell Overture (AKA “Lone Ranger” Theme.

Question is, who would the spot be against? Who’s running the show on the renovation? It should be Jesse White, right? But Madigan seems to be out front.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 2:21 pm
It probably should be aimed at Jesse White, but no one who voted for this (or who signed the budget) is safe. This can become a symbol, like $600 Pentagon toilet seats, for waste. The ad writes itself.

I could see Rauner using it to boost his amendment effort and I think it could be effective.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 2:31 pm
As far as road repair costs, varies wildly. You can probably put a layer of asphalt on a mile of rural state highway fro less than $500k, while a mile of complete urban interstate reconstruction could run you $100 million (think the last Dan Ryan project).

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:10 pm
47 is exactly correct. This is very easy to use as a symbol of a government run amok. Expect to see these doors again and again and again.

And with all due respect to everyone here declaring this a non-story, I think you’re totally wrong. Nobody is saying that you should have bought off the shelf doors at Home Depot. What people are saying, and rightfully so in my book, is that surely there was a way to make custom doors with a proper look for less than $650,000 PER DOOR.

Surely one could do decent doors for say 1/10th that cost? $65 grand per door seems pretty reasonable. This was a wasteful extravagance symptomatic of people who are used to spending OPM (Other People’s Money).

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:11 pm
Ummm .. from what Rich posted the other day, I believe it was $700,000 for three pairs of doors, six doors in all.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:19 pm
Do they want to stick a $300 pair of doors from Menards there, or do they want something that respects history and inspires. This brouhaha says more about the troglodytic state of our political discourse than anything else. Yes, if the big things had been taken care of, the little things wouldn’t seem so important. But in the grand scheme of things, this is pathetic.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:21 pm
==$65 grand per door seems pretty reasonable. ==

And where do you get that number from? Do you have any basis for that number or are you just pulling it out of thin air? If some of you want to get your shorts in a bunch over this then that’s ok. I’m not worried about it. To me it’s just an excuse for some people to gripe because they don’t have anything else to gripe about.

And, yeah, it’s not a big deal. It’s ridiculous hysteria over a non issue. If this is what influences somebody’s vote then they can’t see the forest for the trees.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:21 pm
–What people are saying, and rightfully so in my book, is that surely there was a way to make custom doors with a proper look for less than $650,000 PER DOOR–

The legend grows already.

Three sets of double doors — six doors — plus work to the three doorways, for $670,000. Bonded out, estimated to last 100 years.

I get the politics, but the place was built in 1868. There’s a guy in Oak Park who, if he catches you on the street, complains about the upkeep of his Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 3:22 pm
Simply put, this speaks to priorities.

Comment by JC Friday, Sep 6, 13 @ 5:34 pm