Capitol commission hears status updates on windows, glass floor, drains and 4th-floor work

The Michigan State Capitol Commission on an administrative session heard a series of updates from Executive Director Rob Blackshaw about multiple ongoing restoration and maintenance projects across the Capitol.

Blackshaw told commissioners staff began installing new governor's-suite windows, replacing ballistic glazing and delaminated glass with upgraded sashes; he said each sash weighs about 300 pounds, two sashes per window, and staff expect the work to be completed by Labor Day if the schedule holds. He also reported the glass-floor restoration is progressing but that a vendor's water-laser cutter failed, delaying delivery of roughly 10 precision pieces needed before the project can move to the next quadrant.

On a long-standing maintenance problem, Blackshaw said crews found several clogged or broken 4-inch roof drain tiles on the West Side that had caused ponding and soil issues; working with architects, engineers and Christman Construction staff cleared the drains, exposed piping in the sub-basement, and installed new piping to route runoff to a southwest manhole tied into the municipal storm system to protect Heritage Hall.

Looking further ahead, Blackshaw said architects will begin a detailed survey and scope-of-work for deep cleaning and paint restoration of the ornate House and Senate chamber ceilings — areas that he described as not having had a major restoration since the late 1990s — and that work would require careful scheduling to avoid disrupting legislative sessions, with a planning horizon around 2027.

Staff also reported dwindling historic 'attic stock' of original door hardware and are testing mock-ups from a foundry identified in the presentation (transcript variants for the vendor's name appear); commissioners will be shown mock-ups at a future meeting before larger replacement or stocking decisions are made. The commission heard that the East Lawn landscape master plan continues with designer Brian Barrick of Beckett and Raider and that tree removals and replacements are planned this fall and in 2026; Michigan State University's horticulture department has agreed to grow several catalpa saplings as replacements if the aging catalpa must be removed.

On exterior access, Blackshaw said the upper section of the east exterior stairs will be replaced in a profile consistent with other steps and that work is targeted for June–July 2026 to avoid unfavorable winter conditions. He also reported visitor-tour metrics: about 319 tours and nearly 12,000 visitors in May, 677 visitors in June and 866 in July, and noted staffing limits have kept tour frequency at about once per month.

The commission did not take any formal action on these project updates during the meeting; Blackshaw said staff will return with cost estimates, schedules and formal proposals for items that require commission approval.