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Sergeant at Arms reports Mezzanine move-in, sprinkler issues and HVAC upgrades ahead of session
Summary
Sergeant at Arms Agatha told the JLMC the mezzanine renovation is on budget with a Jan. 20 move-in, flagged repeated sprinkler-system activations and pipe corrosion that risk disruptive flooding, and said HVAC upgrades will improve remote control though not fully eliminate temperature variability.
The committee received a building and session-preparation update from Agatha, the third Sergeant at Arms, covering the mezzanine renovation, recurring sprinkler activations, HVAC upgrades and other readiness work ahead of the 2025 legislative session.
Agatha said the Mezzanine project is a complete renovation, with HP Cummings as the contractor and a projected move-in of Jan. 20 (the project had aimed for mid-December). She described larger committee rooms and unexpected IT and plumbing reworks but reported the project remains on budget.
She warned the building's dry-pipe sprinkler system has activated multiple times during the off-session months due to corrosion in aging pipes; bursts have flooded the copy-room corridor and required late-night cleanups. "If it fails or there's a false alarm during session, we will evacuate the building," Agatha said, stressing that the Capitol will treat activations as full emergencies.
Agatha also summarized HVAC work: new air systems for the House and Senate chambers, the lieutenant governor and governor's offices and several committee rooms. While the upgrades enable more remote temperature control by BGS technicians, she cautioned the historic building will remain "temperamental" at certain times of year and advised members to dress in layers.
Other work: replacement and refinishing of cafeteria furniture (some new tables, many refinished), completion of the 2 Aiken renovation with occupancy achieved, page program orientation for 21 pages, a new internship MOU with Norwich, and planned fire-alarm testing and chandelier maintenance before session.
What happens next: BGS and the Sergeant at Arms will continue repairs on the sprinkler system, complete Mezzanine work, and finish session prep, including a Dec. 18 building closure for fire-alarm testing.
