The source of additional funding for the renovations to the Eastern Approach of the Capitol remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether it will be included in Governor Hochul’s upcoming budget plan for Albany. A spokesperson for Hochul expressed the governor’s commitment to investing in the City of Albany and enhancing the State’s Capitol’s appeal to all New Yorkers. The Office of General Services has launched a competitive procurement process to select a contractor for much-needed renovations to the Eastern Approach, but further comments are restricted during the ongoing procurement process.
The Capitol’s Eastern Approach, featuring the grand Romanesque entrance and 77 steps, has been closed since 2015 due to drainage issues and significant structural concerns. A study commissioned in 2014 under Governor Cuomo’s administration highlighted the urgent need for repairs, estimating costs at $17 million. Hochul’s initial budget allocated $41 million for the project, but delays have hindered progress.
Historically significant, the Capitol steps have witnessed iconic figures such as John F. Kennedy. Hochul’s administration now estimates the repair costs to be $80 million, nearly doubling the 2022 appropriation. Despite a projected spring 2028 opening, the bidding process indicated a four-year repair timeline, raising doubts about the completion date.
Two firms, Louis C. Allegrone, Inc. and Consigli Construction, submitted bids for the $80 million contract. Consigli Construction, known for previous Capitol projects, is a leading contender. The Office of General Services anticipates making an announcement soon regarding the project’s status and Governor Hochul’s dedication to public access to the Eastern Approach.
The project involves creating a corridor under the stairs to facilitate restricted VIP access during construction. The escalating repair costs, now exceeding $80 million, underscore the project’s complexity and financial impact. Hochul’s recent proposal aims to allocate $400 million towards revitalizing deteriorating state buildings and institutions in Albany, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical landmarks like the Capitol stairs.
In 1897, a significant addition was made to a building that had first opened its doors 18 years prior. Over the years, this location has been a favored platform for numerous politicians seeking to connect with the public. Among them was the then-Massachusetts Senator, John F. Kennedy, who stood on its steps in September 1960, as he fervently campaigned for the highest office in the land. Reflecting on the historical significance of the spot, Kennedy noted, “I stand where three distinguished Governors of the State have stood, Theodore Roosevelt, Al Smith, and Franklin Roosevelt, as candidates for the office of the Presidency.”
Teddy Roosevelt himself was said to have dashed up those very steps as part of his daily exercise regimen when he resided in Albany. And decades before Kennedy’s powerful oration, Governor Al Smith had accepted the Democratic nomination for the presidency on that same path, nearly three decades earlier.
This location holds a rich tapestry of political memories, with each figure leaving their own unique mark on its storied grounds. From energetic morning runs to impassioned speeches, the building has borne witness to the aspirations and ambitions of those who have sought the highest office in the land.
As the sun sets on another day in the bustling city, one cannot help but feel the weight of history lingering in the air, a reminder of the legacies that have been forged on those timeless steps.
