California lawmakers are bulldozing ahead with a costly plan to demolish the East Annex, block public access to the West Steps, and destroy Capitol Park.
Now is not the time to burden taxpayers with a $1.4 billion debt for the next 30 years. It’s time to increase public safety and rehabilitate the historic East Annex, not demolish and replace it.
"By freeing up $700 million from the current Capitol Annex Project, the Legislature and Governor Newsom can better balance the state’s budget and ensure critical projects are funded. Rehabilitation...will cost taxpayers less than $500 million."
Controversy over the CA State Capitol Annex demolition and remodel. Those in favor say safety hazards and aesthetics demand the over billion dollar project. Others favor a $500 million refurbishing that preserves more of the Capitol and surrounding trees.
By Malcolm Maclachlan
Daily Journal
"When they were completing the annual state budget late last month, lawmakers in Sacramento quietly knifed a lawsuit seeking to block a $1.4 billion project to demolish and rebuild much of the State Capitol building."
Save Our Capitol! is working to preserve the historic Capitol and its surrounding Park, including hundreds of irreplaceable trees. Alternatives exist to make the Annex safe without spending $1.4 billion to excavate the West Steps, build a new parking garage, and demolish-and-rebuild the Annex, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
