Acoustics consultant nears 95% documents; committee told mechanical fixes can proceed separately from architectural work

The subcommittee received an update on the Capitol acoustics project on June 4 and was told the consultant is finishing 95% design documents for cost estimating.

Project staff member Brandon said the design team is “really close” to completing 95% documents and that a full cost estimate will follow. The consultant will present the 95% package at the next subcommittee meeting on June 17, Brandon said.

Staff described the programmatic split between mechanical work and architectural measures. Mechanical changes—such as fan coil adjustments, dampers and other HVAC modifications—can be pursued as major maintenance through the Construction Management Division, while architectural changes that alter interiors (for example, wall‑mounted sound absorption panels) fall under the State Building Commission (SBC) and Management Council because they change the building’s architecture in legislative space.

Wendy (staff) told the group the committee should consider an approach that sequences work: complete mechanical fixes first under major maintenance and then evaluate architectural additions based on cost estimates and available appropriation. “How do you eat this elephant one bite at a time?” she asked, urging a phased approach that preserves funding flexibility.

Subcommittee members asked about timing and the path through leadership. Staff advised that funds appropriated to the Capital Square Preservation account can be accessed by an MOU between SBC and Management Council and that the subcommittee would function as a governance group advising those entities.

Ending: the consultant will bring 95% documents and a cost estimate to the June 17 meeting; staff will prepare draft MOU language for the committee’s review.