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THE ASTORIAN • TuESdAy, AuguST 23, 2022
OPINION
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GUEST COLUMN
Big changes coming to Oregon State Capitol
I
f you were building a state capitol,
would you construct it on stilts?
Probably not. But such an idea
would borrow from the mind of Salem
native A.C. Gilbert, who invented the
Erector Set in the early 20th century.
More than a century later, the Ore-
gon State Capitol is not actually being
erected on stilts. Still, that is a handy
image for visualizing the steel shor-
ing that will hold up the
massive 1938 portion
of the building while
base isolators and new
columns are installed
underneath.
A base isolator is key
to reducing damage in
DICK
an earthquake.
HUGHES
“Think of it as the
building sort of sitting
on a springy cushion. What it allows
it to do is the building stays put while
the ground moves under it,” said Jodie
Jones, the Capitol Accessibility, Main-
tenance and Safety project director.
Major seismic upgrades are part of
phase 3, now underway. Phase 2 has
included seismic work in the legislative
office wings, hearing rooms and under-
ground parking garage.
Compared with what I’ve heard
from politicians, Jones offered a realis-
tic answer when I asked how a seismi-
cally reinforced Capitol might fare in a
9.0 Cascadia quake.
“You can’t really just pick a num-
ber and say this is seismically safe
up to such-and-such a level. The rea-
son for that is, it all depends on where
the original earthquake happens. What
the epicenter of it is and how close it
is to where you are. How many after-
shocks,” she said.
“People always want to say, ‘Are
you safe to a Level 9?’ Well, I can’t say
that because a Level 9 under the build-
ing is different than a Level 9 that’s 50,
Hoffman Construction Co.
A multiphase improvement project is underway at the Oregon State Capitol.
100, 300 miles away.”
When a quake happens, the seismic
upgrades have two aims: 1) Enable the
occupants to safely exit the building,
and 2) Get the Capitol back up and run-
ning as quickly as possible so the work
of government can continue, which is
doubly important during a disaster.
All this is part of making the “Peo-
ple’s House” safe for the people.
How to get in: The Capitol’s main
entrances are closed due to the con-
struction, but signs direct people to one
door each on the east and west sides.
Parking around the Capitol is prob-
lematic due to the construction and
other reserved spaces. Meanwhile, con-
struction continues across the street at
the Justice and Supreme Court build-
ings, although that work should wrap
up this year.
Jones said she appreciates the
patience shown by the public, legisla-
tors and employees in dealing with the
noise, dust and inconvenience. Phase 3
requires the 1938 portion of the Capitol
— including the rotunda and governor,
secretary of state and treasurer offices
— to be vacated for 2 1/2 years.
Still, she said, “We’re trying to get
this done as quickly as possible.”
And within budget and on time.
Other improvements: The half-bil-
lion-dollar project includes:
• Bringing the electrical, plumbing
and HVAC systems up to code, includ-
ing improved air circulation that meets
the latest standards.
• Improved lighting. LED is being
installed wherever possible, including
the Senate and House chambers.
• Two new staircases to the lower
level, which will be called the con-
course instead of the basement, and
additional staircases on the north side.
• Four additional hearing rooms,
which will be on the concourse level.
• A new, larger café for the public.
• A new private lounge for all legis-
lators, replacing separate eating areas
for the Senate and House.
• Accessibility improvements
throughout, including building
entrances and ramps on the dais area of
the Senate and House chambers.
• Two new courtyards on the first
floor, replacing ones in the basement.
The basement is being gutted, so every-
thing there is being redone or moving,
including the press room.
• Fire-suppression systems and
improved fire-detection throughout the
Capitol.
• Resealing and repairs throughout,
including exterior cleaning.
• Installation of an emergency gener-
ator with expanded capacity.
Legislative schedule: Commit-
tees will meet virtually for Legislative
Days, Sept. 21 to Sept. 23. The Sen-
ate will have an in-person floor session
Sept. 23.
The Senate and House wings are
open to the public, including all mem-
ber offices. (Being a legislator theoret-
ically is a part-time job, so don’t count
on finding your lawmaker in the office
during the interim.)
The format for the December Legis-
lative Days has not been announced.
Although virtual testimony options
will remain available, in-person com-
mittee meetings are planned for the
2023 Legislature. Hearing Rooms A-F,
170 and 174 will be available for com-
mittees, but not rooms in the old part of
the Capitol until construction finishes
in late 2025.
The House and Senate chambers
will be open during legislative sessions.
Jones said public access will be limited
for fire safety due to construction.
dick Hughes has been covering the
Oregon political scene since 1976.
GUEST COLUMN
Coming together to secure our water future
O
regon agriculture continues to per-
severe amid historic drought con-
ditions, worldwide supply chain
issues, burdensome and unnecessary regu-
lation and global food insecurity at a level
not seen in recent memory.
As an industry we can do a lot, but it’s
time to recognize that things must change.
As droughts increase in severity and inten-
sity, we must position ourselves to be resil-
ient and adaptable when it comes to chang-
ing conditions.
Our members are consistently looking
for innovative new ways to get the work
done in an efficient and sustainable manner
while continuing their significant role in
feeding and clothing the world and making
substantial contributions to the statewide,
national and global economy.
If we are going to continue to be part of
the solution, it is essential that we are able
to access our most basic need: water.
Recently, our organizations partnered
together to form the Oregon Agricultural
Water Alliance, which will focus on strate-
gic water investments and common-sense
policies to promote sound water man-
agement and agricultural sustainability
throughout our beautiful state. The need for
this work has never been greater.
Collectively, our organizations repre-
sent a broad spectrum of individuals and
entities that serve nearly 600,000 irrigated
acres and represent over 14,000 producers
of food and other agricultural products in
Oregon.
The future of irrigated agriculture and
the survival of family-owned and operated
farms and ranches in Oregon is at risk like
never before. As organizations with diverse
memberships throughout the state, we can
no longer afford to work separately if we
hope to bring much-needed change to the
state’s water management. We recognize
that together, we are stronger, and this is
how we will operate as we look ahead to a
critical legislative session and key election
cycle in the months to come.
Our state cannot risk continuing down
the path of disinvestment in water stor-
age. State and federal agencies must be
accountable for effective and efficient
water management. Oregon needs outcome
focused partnerships, not regulatory road-
blocks that penalize creative problem-solv-
ing. As opportunities arise, we need to be
prepared to leverage federal funding for
state and local infrastructure projects.
Moreover, the state must facilitate
opportunities as part of its own water
resources strategy. Unfortunately, we are
already behind on this front.
As an alliance, we will work to shift
Nathan Howard/AP Photo
Phil Fine checked for carrot seeds in the soil left behind by a combine while harvesting a field in the North Unit Irrigation District near Madras last year.
LETTERS WELCOME
Letters should be exclusive to The
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number. You will be contacted to
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state water policy to prioritize maintain-
ing an adequate, safe and affordable food
supply, creating more water storage both
above and below ground, creating drought
resilient programs and projects, increas-
ing interstate cooperation in water supply
and management, demanding more agency
accountability and reducing costly and
unnecessary state agency litigation.
Together, we plan to create positive
to other letter writers should address
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change by developing viable pathways
for water projects implementation, advo-
cating for needed changes to agency pro-
cesses and administration, conducting tours
for legislators and agency staff to high-
light opportunities to improve or create
water projects and proactively supporting
innovation.
We believe it is critical that the pub-
lic be informed about the importance
of irrigated agriculture for the state’s
future health and prosperity. A recent
poll asked Oregonians about the impor-
tance of the agriculture and livestock sec-
tors to Oregon’s economy; a whopping
70% of Oregonians, across a wide range
of ages, political parties and geographic
areas, responded that the industries are
“extremely important.”
Without the proper investment in water
storage, and a shift in water policy and
management, it will be a matter of time
before we lose significant portions of our
distinctive and diverse agriculture industry
— a critical piece of what makes our state
the exceptional and unique place that it is.
Signatories to this guest column are
Todd Nash, president of Oregon Cattlemen’s
Association; Mike Miranda, president of
Oregon dairy Farmers Association; Angi
Bailey, president of Oregon Farm Bureau;
Josh Robinson, president of Oregon Asso-
ciation of Nurseries; Jake Madison, pres-
ident of Northeast Oregon Water Associa-
tion; Rex Barber, president of Water for Life
Inc.; and Brian Hampson, president of Ore-
gon Water Resources Congress.