Phases and Timeline


In response to the competition requirement that the new Capitol be built in a fiscally responsible manner, Bertram Goodhue's "cross within square" floor plan allowed construction to begin around the old Capitol while still occupied, and workers still conducting state business. After the north and south sections of the outer square of the new building were constructed around the old, the offices were moved into the new and the old demolished. The second construction phase included the east side of the square and the north, south and east arms of the cross. Third phase construction completed the tower. In the final phase, workers finished the remaining west arm of the cross, completing the building in 1932 after ten years of construction. When landscaping was completed in 1934, the Capitol was fully paid for at a cost of $9.8 million.

 

Timeline of Capitol Commission and Construction Activitiy:

 

February, 1919

Legislature passed Bill to create Capitol Commission and fund Capitol Construction

 

June, 1919

Capitol Commission hires T.R. Kimball as architectural advisor

 

December, 1919

Preliminary Competition identifies three Nebraska architects for Final Competition

 

June, 1920

Judgement of Final Competition, Jury choses Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue

 

November, 1920

Commission signs contract with Architect

 

April 15, 1922

Groundbreaking for new Capitol by Governor Samuel R. McKelvie

 

April, 1922

First contract awarded to W.J. Assenmacher Co. for the excavation of the site and laying of foundation.

 

July, 1922

Contract awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for first phase superstructure construction (north and south sections of square base)

 

November 11, 1922

Cornerstone laid with American Legion participating

 

April 24, 1924

Death of architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue

 

November, 1924

Contract signed with Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Associates for continuance of archtiectural work

 

December, 1924

State offices moved from old building to newly completed outer square of new building

 

March 1925

Contracts awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for demolition of old Capitol

 

April 1925

Contracts for second construction phase awarded to J.H. Weise Co. (east side, east, north and south arms of cross, and base of tower)

 

February 1928

Contracts for third phase construction (tower) awarded to Peter Kiewit Sons Co.

 

April 24, 1930

"The Sower" was raised to the top of the Capitol

 

June 1930

Contracts awarded to W. J. Assenmacher Co. for the fourth phase of construction

 

August, 1931

Contracts awarded for grounds lighting

September, 1931

Contracts awarded for landscape excavating, grading and concrete work

January, 1932

Contracts awarded for Furnishings including furniture and floor covering

April, 1932

Contracts awarded for Lamp Posts

May, 1932

Contracts awarded for sodding of the grounds

February, 1934

Contracts awarded for planting trees and shrubs on Capitol grounds


 

List of Expenses:

 

Architectural Expenses

$452,074.68

 

Capitol Commission Expenses

40,421.88

 

Inspection Expenses

120,585.32

 

Miscellaneous Expense Items

539,787.00

 

Furnishings and Decorations

537,579.36

 

First Construction

2,562,917.62

 

Wrecking Old Building

49,642.81

 

Second Construction

3,015,460.20

 

Third Construction

1,487,309.74

 

Fourth Construction

887,756.79

 

Landscaping

131,093.46



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