Dear Neighbor,
I am back in the area meeting with local people after another week of work at the Capitol. I also will be on a number of area radio stations over the weekend and beyond. Here is the schedule:
-
1:40 p.m. Friday, KDUZ 1260 AM
-
3:15 p.m. Friday, KLFD 1410 AM
-
11 a.m. Saturday, KWLM 1340 AM
-
12:30 p.m. Wednesday, KASM 1150 AM
One thing I plan to discuss on the radio is our ongoing Capitol restoration project. Below is a news release my legislative office issued this week. Also, click here to watch KARE 11 video where I provided some thoughts on the restoration project during Thursday’s 6 p.m. news.
Have a good weekend,
Dean
URDAHL RE-NAMED TO CAPITOL RESTORATION PANEL
ST. PAUL - Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, has accepted re-appointment to serve on a commission which will continue to advance a massive restoration project at Minnesota’s aging Capitol.
Estimates indicate it will cost approximately $240 million to restore various structural facets of the Capitol, which was built in 1905. The Capitol Preservation Commission on which Urdahl will continue serving began the restoration process by successfully obtaining $44 million in last year’s capital investment bill. The group may plan to seek $109 million in bonding this year to keep the project on track.
Projects experts deem necessary range from repairing a leaky roof dome to restoring aging artwork, improving deficient electrical and plumbing systems, and securing crumbling marble on the building’s exterior.
“If we do a bonding bill this year, I hope money for continuing this project is included,” said Urdahl, who is serving the commission for a second biennium. “This is the people’s house and, as far as I’m concerned, it is one of the most important buildings in Minnesota. We need to keep the roof from leaking and keep our restoration project going before our Capitol falls into a further state of decay.”
The commission was established through legislation Urdahl authored as chairman of the House Legacy Division in 2011-12. It is chaired by Gov. Mark Dayton and includes 22 members, a mix of legislators, at-large citizens and other officials.
A behind-the-scenes video provides images of the Captol’s deteriorating infrastructure. Visit this link and click on the top video. The pertinent footage begins at the 18-minute, 45-second mark.
“Many people see the Capitol from afar and think everything looks just fine with the building,” Urdahl said. “This video provides some very telling footage, allowing people to see exactly why this restoration project is necessary.”
-30-
Dean Urdahl represents District 18A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Urdahl can be contacted by email at rep.dean.urdahl@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4344.