Work begins in earnest on crumbling Oklahoma Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Architects and engineers are busy peeking behind ceilings and walls inside the nearly 100-year-old Oklahoma Capitol, while workers outside are studying the building’s cast-iron window frames and giant limestone blocks.

What they’re finding isn’t all that pretty. In some cases decades of decay and often shoddy repair work that is expected to quickly eat through the $120 million allocated for the project by the Legislature last year.

The polished marble floors, plush carpeting and priceless artwork inside the Capitol belie serious structural and mechanical problems with the building.

Ouside, tests are being conducted to determine the best way to proceed with repairing loose mortar between giant limestone blocks that has allowed moisture to seep in and rust the steel anchors that hold the blocks in place.