Legislative Building Vandalism: Damage Estimates
What happened
The night of Oct. 5, an intruder broke into the Legislative Building and damaged several areas of the building.
There was significant damage to the State Reception Room, which has historic significance as a symbol of our state's democracy. It hosts the Inaugural Ball, visits from heads of state, and the state’s delegates to the Electoral College when they cast votes in presidential elections. The room contains many priceless, irreplaceable historical artifacts.
Damage estimates
After a thorough investigation and consultations with contractors, DES has developed the following damage estimates, which are subject to change. Estimates do not include sales tax.
This estimates are grouped into three sections:
- Completed work – this section reflects actual costs
- Work that has not been completed
- Estimates dependent on preservation options selected in the future
Completed work – actual costs that DES has paid
| Item | Cost | Damage description | Description of repair/replacement work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken window and State Reception Room glass door | $3,055 | Glass shattered. | Full replacement |
| County flags, flagpoles and bases | $6,476 | Burned, broken; bases scratched from being knocked over. | Replacement flags New flagpoles and bases |
| Staff costs & materials as of Nov. 6 | $24,467 | Repair card reader on elevator. Remove burn marks, scuffs from marble floors. |
Work that has not been completed
| Item | Estimated cost | Damage description | Description of repair/replacement work |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington bust | $5,500 | Some cracks and chips to bust and column, with surface damage and scuffs to bronze, and chipped wood on pedestal. | Refinishing the damaged areas. |
| Martin Luther King, Jr. bust | $5,500 | Light damage to statue, scratch on marble floor in front of bust, damage to base. | Refinishing the damaged areas. |
| Marble floors | $4,200 | Some chips and cracks, and small burns. | Refinishing the damaged areas. |
| Piano | $5,500 | Heat caused bubbling on finish of piano. | Refinishing the damaged area. |
| Teak floor in State Reception Room | $8,950 | Burn damage. | Refinishing the damaged areas. |
Estimates dependent on preservation options selected in the future
| Item | Estimated cost | Damage description | Description of repair/replacement work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic rug & drape removal, transfer | $100,000 | Burned, lighter fluid spills. | Cost to move the rug out of the Legislative Building to another location. Not reflected in this estimate is the estimated $750/month is what it would cost to store the materials in a climate-controlled space. |
| Historic rug & drape monthly storage | $750 per month | Burned, lighter fluid spills. | Climate-controlled storage to preserve materials, prevent organic growth. |
| Historic rug repair | $443,000 to $719,000 | Burned, lighter fluid spills. | Cost depends on option chosen |
| Historic drape repair | $19,350 - $34,200 | Burned. | |
| Total estimate range | $623,000- $914,000 | Range excludes the monthly cost of rug storage. Estimates do not include sales tax. |