Acoustics project reaches 95% design; subcommittee agrees to seek bids while treating House and Senate work as alternates

The Capitol’s acoustic-improvement project reached a 95% construction-document milestone, and the subcommittee directed staff to move toward bidding the work with the legislative chambers included as bid alternates rather than base scope.

The design team said the project is divided into three core parts: mechanical upgrades and major maintenance (fan-coil noise mitigation and HVAC changes), the broadcast studio and control-room fit-out in the extension, and architectural acoustics (ceiling and wall absorption, and optional drapery in the House and Senate galleries). The team described the 95% documents, cost estimates and a proposed schedule for 100% CDs in late June or early July and subsequent bidding.

Trainer (project lead) explained the approach: balance historic preservation with acoustic improvement across budget, quality and scope. The…