Statehouse leak contained, renovation back on track

Subcontractors working for JE Dunn Construction were busy Thursday replacing drywall damaged by a sprinkler malfunction at the Statehouse, but that didn't stop Shantel Gibson and her family from making their way through the nearly completed visitor center.

Small children bounced anxiously as Gibson and her kin made their way through a security checkpoint, undeterred by the construction and repair noise.

"I think it's up to par for visitation," Gibson later said in the first-floor rotunda, which is decorated with a Christmas tree that reaches nearly to the second floor.

Statehouse architect Barry Greis and JE Dunn project manager Jim Rinner agree, despite the hiccup with the sprinkler system that caused a robust Topeka Fire Department response on Christmas Eve.

Both said the cleanup effort is moving speedily and the visitor center should be complete by the end of the month and ready for its opening ceremonies Jan. 2, 2014.

"We're still on track," Rinner said.

Rinner said a substantial amount of water poured from the faulty sprinkler system, but the fire department did a stellar job of containing the damage and workers were planning to pull up protective floor coverings soon anyway.

Operationally, the only damage yet to be addressed is to the two elevators that shuttle Statehouse workers and visitors from the underground parking garage. They remain nonfunctioning, which eliminates the garage's handicapped accessibility.

Kansans with ambulatory disabilities will still be able to access the Statehouse by parking at street level.

Greis said maintenance contractor Interstate Elevator has been out to assess the damage, but there is no estimate on when the elevators will be working again.

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Statehouse leak contained, renovation back on track