Proponents of a new state Library and Archives building say two powerful Republican lawmakers are preventing construction of the building by refusing to provide an extra $8 million in next year’s budget.
Doug Kupel, a spokesman and board member of Friends of the Archives, says House Speaker Jim Weiers and Appropriations P Committee Chairman Rep. Russell Pearce are holding up the construction by their insistence that the building fit within the $30 million appropriation approved for the project last session.
Designers DWL Architects recently submitted construction plans for the building to Legislative Council. The estimated cost for the building is about $38 million.
“They’re pretty much blocking any attempt by some of the lesser members of the House inserting the additional $8 million,” Mr. Kupel said.
However, Mr. Pearce, R-18, says he isn’t to blame.
“They’re the ones that agreed to $30 million,” he said. “They better figure out how to build it for $30 million. I have no intention of spending any more money [on the project].”
Mr. Kupel, though, says that isn’t entirely accurate. In February 2005, the State Library Board considered a variety of design options for the building. He says the best plan would have cost about $38.5 million, but the board opted for a $35.7 million design that retained the same functionality as the more expensive edifice.
When a state budget was ultimately approved last year, it contained two years of funding for the building, but the project was only appropriated $30 million. Mr. Kupel says that was done with the recognition that $30 million would not be enough money to build an archives building with a 25-year lifespan.
He says that the increased cost for construction is due in part to delays brought on by a series of meetings in November and December in which several lawmakers — including Mr. Pearce and Mr. Weiers — proposed reexamining the project. Among other things, they wanted to move the building site from the northwest corner of 19th Avenue and Jackson Street to Adams Street, just north of the House of Representatives, and include a parking garage for lawmakers.
Delays up construction costs
Mr. Kupel estimates construction costs have risen by about $3 million because of the delays, due especially because of spikes in the prices of cement and steel.
Mr. Weiers was not available for comment, but a spokesman said the project ought to be completed with the current appropriation.
Senate President Ken Bennett was not available for comment, but he did acknowledge in a December meeting of a legislative oversight subcommittee that he had always considered the $30 million appropriation to be a placeholder for whatever amount the designs dictated. He said then he would not support any attempt to construct the building for the current appropriation if it detracted from the building’s ability to meet state needs.
Mr. Kupel says the building is needed to ensure the protection of the state’s history and documents from its great leaders, including former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and long-time lawmaker Polly Rosenbaum.
Currently, many of the documents are stored in the attic of the Capitol building.
“Literally, we’re one spark away from a disaster, one storm away from a disaster for the papers of the state of Arizona,” he said. “It’s something that should have been addressed a long time ago.”