Join the SAH/SCC as we learn more about the history and recent preservation challenges associated California’s Capitol in Sacramento. We will be joined by Dick Cowan; Wayne Donaldson, FAIA and former State Historic Preservation Officer; and Paula Peper, Urban Forester.
Recently, the California Legislature decided not to even consider rehabilitation when it proposed The Capitol Annex project to demolish the 1950’s Capitol Annex by Miner F. Butler. The project included building a taller, wider, and longer replacement annex, added a Visitor Center in the protected view corridor of the West façade of the 1860’s Capitol (by Alfred Eichler), and dig up a total of 180 trees in Capitol Park for an underground parking structure.
A coalition of volunteers from the preservation community and tree organizations protested the Annex project’s approach and the lack of public input. When the price tag of the Project grew from $775 million to $1.2 Billion, taxpayer organizations and chambers of commerce joined the protest, with two coalition groups filing a total of four lawsuits. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to stop the removal of many trees.
Panelists will discuss what is next for the project, the difficulty in rallying support for historic resources of the recent past, and other preservation issues related to this piece of architectural history.
Preserving the California Capitol; $5; Zoom connection information sent upon registration.
