$250M recommendation for Oregon Capitol upgrade

SALEM — Shoring up the 75-year-old Oregon Capitol to withstand earthquakes and updating electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems would cost about $250 million.

The Capitol Master Plan Advisory Committee recommended the improvements Monday, and a full report will be delivered next month to the Legislative Administration Committee.

The Statesman Journal reports that if lawmakers decide to approve the work, funding would require bond issues. Construction would take three or four years.

The Capitol was built in 1938 after fires destroyed previous buildings in 1935 and 1855. Office wings were added in 1977.

The Capitol was damaged in a 1993 earthquake that forced the closure of the rotunda for more than two years.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com