Reach for the Stars!

This project really began years ago when we had a study done to determine the condition of the decorative surfaces. There was evidence that the environmental conditions like lighting, lack of cleaning, temperature and humidity fluctuations, as well as normal wear and tear, had caused a tremendous amount of damage. We needed, at that time, to start working on the surfaces to keep them from deteriorating to a point that they would become evident to the thousands of visitors we host every year.

However, before we could get to the real apparent need for the Capitol’s decorative surfaces we needed to take care of the fundamental supporting structures. In order to support the decorative surfaces we needed to do things like update the lighting and seal the dome’s exterior. We needed to update and upgrade the failing HVAC systems, as well as build spaces that would support our operations and take away some of the activities around the historical surfaces to prolong any wear, tear, or damage.

Once we had secured the foundational elements of the building that would protect the decorative surfaces for years to come, we were able to start thinking big. We wanted to launch the epic task of conserving and restoring the majority of the decorative surfaces with an area that would get people's attention. And the most epic is obviously the rotunda. So the first thing we did was establish a team of experts from across the country both internally and externally. Experts that could work on any building in the world. We wanted the best of the best in order to take on the best decorative surfaces in the building.

We secured the supporting structures, built a team of experts, it’s time to do the work. It’s time to live up to the expectations of the people of Michigan, time to instill more pride into the building, time to be proud of Michigan’s best. Time for the Michigan State Capitol’s dome restoration of 2023. In the end that is what this project is about, taking pride in ourselves as Michiganders and taking pride in Michigan.