Oklahoma Capitol repair bonds authorization begins

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma officials are beginning the process of authorizing $120 million in bonds to renovate the state’s nearly century-old Capitol.

Legislation authorizing a 10-year bond issue to repair the Capitol building goes into effect on Friday, 90 days after it was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin.

The Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority has scheduled a meeting on Monday to begin the process of authorizing bonds to pay for repairs to the Capitol.

The 452,000-square-foot Capitol was constructed between 1914 and 1917 for $1.5 million. Now, the building’s facade is crumbling and barricades have cordoned off the south side of the structure since 2011 to prevent visitors from climbing the steps of the south portico because chunks of mortar and limestone are falling.