Capitol commission approves minutes; staff reports on windows, glass floor, roof drains and other maintenance

Vice Chair Ann Bauer presiding over the Michigan State Capitol Commission on an excused-chair day on Oct. 6, moved to approve the minutes from the June meeting and the commission approved the motion. Commissioners then heard project updates from Executive Director Rob Blackshaw on multiple ongoing building repairs and preservation efforts.

Why it matters: Several of the projects are structural or safety-related and affect public access, historic fabric and major event spaces at the Capitol. The commission is the steward of the building and its decisions set repair priorities and timetables.

Blackshaw told commissioners that crews began replacing windows in the governor’s suite “as of yesterday” and that the project will proceed clockwise from the North Conference Room to the Governor’s Parlor. “We are replacing ballistic windows that have been in there for over 30 years,” he said, and noted that each sash weighs about 300 pounds (two sashes per window comprise roughly 600 pounds of glass and wood). He said the replacements are designed to preserve the current appearance while restoring protective performance and that the work is expected to be completed by Labor Day if schedules hold.

On the glass floor restoration, Blackshaw said progress has been delayed because a vendor’s precision water laser-cutting machine failed; replacement equipment returned recently and production should accelerate. He said the crew is “10 pieces away from moving the partition to the next phase,” and expects the next quadrant to move forward by September.

Blackshaw described a major fix to West Side rain leaders (roof drains) after crews found clogged, crushed and broken clay tile that had caused ponding. He said crews exposed piping in the sub-basement, installed new piping to a southwest manhole and connected the drains to a catch basin that will route stormwater to Allegan Street and the city storm system. “So this will be a condition that we’ve really improved,” he said, noting crews are repairing the disturbed landscaping and will reinstall sod and repaint exposed interior areas when work finishes.

Other updates included the following: a pediment light on the east façade was rewired and replaced and should be relit by the evening following the meeting; the state’s ornament program produced a Christmas ornament incorporating a piece of the restored glass floor; weekend tour guide operations continue once monthly with rising visitor counts (May ~1,200 visitors on 319 tours, June 677 visitors, July 866 visitors); and door-hardware replacement/mock-ups are being prepared by a vendor identified as P. E. Garren out of New York City to reproduce historic hardware.

Blackshaw also reviewed a landscape master plan for the East Lawn, noting bids were under evaluation and that a horticulture partnership with Michigan State University would supply replacement catalpa trees if needed. He said the east exterior upper stairs will be replaced to match existing profiles with work targeted for June–July 2026 to avoid unfavorable winter conditions and to keep the lower portions available for events.

Votes at a glance: Commissioners approved the June meeting minutes on a motion by Commissioner Hobbs, seconded by Commissioner Star; the minutes were adopted by voice vote. The meeting later concluded following a motion to adjourn that was moved, seconded and approved.

Looking ahead: Blackshaw told the commission he will continue to advise members on disruptive work and asked that commissioners report disturbances so crews can pause when necessary. Staff will return to the commission for project-specific approvals where architectural or policy changes are proposed.