Otter calls for reconsideration of underground capitol complex

Expressing strong reservations about the proposed underground statehouse complex at the capitol, Republican gubernatorial candidate C.L. "Butch" Otter told the Mountain Home News Saturday that the state could save millions in tax dollars by refurbishing existing buildings near the statehouse instead.

On Sept. 1 the Idaho Capitol Commission decided to ask the state's bonding authority to secure $130 million for the project, which includes restoration of the capitol itself as well as the underground complex.

When first proposed, the entire project was projected to cost about $60 million, but before a spade has been put in the ground the price tag has risen considerably. When the legislature approved the plan this spring the total cost was set at $114 million, including $45 million for two underground wings that would house legislative offices and public hearing rooms.

It has not been unusual in recent years for some hearings to be so crowded that citizens spilled out into the hallways at the statehouse.

But as estimates by architects and engineers on the project have continued to rise, the Capitol Commission, a citizens group charged with overseeing the project, asked for bonding authority of $130 million in order to provide a fudge factor against future cost increases.

Otter told the Mountain Home News that he has contacted legislative leaders during the last week to ask them to reconsider the project.

"I know they've put a lot of work into it, and I even respect their decision," Otter said, "but when I look at all the things we need to do, including better funding for corrections and education, I think the money can be better spent elsewhere. We have to move forward in another dimension -- in our educational opportunities and the community college."

Otter said that he fully supported the restoration of the capitol itself, as a means of preserving an important heritage of the state and bringing the building up to code, but the $45 million planned on the underground facilities could be better spent renovating nearby buildings within the capitol complex area, such as the old Borah Post office and the old Ada County Courthouse, saving the taxpayers millions for more worthwhile needs.

The historic courthouse, which Ada County moved out of several years ago, will be used by the legislature during the two years of work scheduled for the capitol renovation. The legislature will meet at the courthouse for its 2008 and 2009 sessions under the current plan.

Otter suggested renovation of the Borah Post office and the old courthouse would cost less than what is planned to be spent on the underground complex, and would serve the same needs, although he admitted he had no hard numbers on cost savings right now.

The upper floor of the old post office across the street from the capitol, he said, for example, could be remodeled into a room that could double as a large hearing room for legislators and also as a state room for major functions of the state government.

Otter said that while he agreed the underground complex would provide greater comfort for the legislators, "the question is, will it provide better government?"

Otter admitted that he didn't know if the process could be stopped at this point, but said he would be contacting the state's Permanent Building Council to see if adjustments to the plan could be made.

"I'm just offering some caution," the current first District Congressman for Idaho said, adding that he was concerned about the rising costs of the project before final design and construction even began. He said after seeing the Capital Visitor's Center in Washington, D.C., climb from an original cost of $264 million to more than $550 million already, Idaho's taxpayers have to be concerned that the underground complex plan already appears headed along a similar inflationary curve.

"A lot of people have asked me around the state about this," said. "They're very concerned about the costs.

"I think we should get our heads together and explore some of these other options, especially in light of some of the more pressing needs of the state."

Otter made his remarks prior to appearing in Mountain Home's 46th Annual Air Force Appreciation Day parade, the largest parade in the state, in which he was one of the participants, along with a number of other local, state and national politicians, including his opponent in the November elections, Democrat Jerry Brady.