The late Sen. Jake Flake would have been pleased by the new Centennial Plan and Vision for the Arizona State Capitol, which seeks to bring officials from all three branches of state government together under one roof by 2011.

The Centennial Plan, released Oct. 15, was published by the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in cooperation with the Arizona Chapter of the American Society Landscape Architects (AzASLA) and developed in collaboration with the ASU College of Design. It outlines changes that will be made prior to Arizona's centennial celebration beginning February, 2011, as well as a "bold, long-term vision" for 2020 and beyond.

Flake chaired the Legislative Governmental Mall Commission subcommittee prior to his death earlier this year, created to review proposals and develop a plan for improving the Capitol area in time for the Centennial. Flake had long criticized the "hodge-podge" architecture of the Capitol and legislative chambers.

"The Capitol is beautiful, but then we put these two big-box buildings in. Then we put a tower in," said Flake said in an interview with the ~East Valley Tribune~ last December. "We ought to be ashamed of the looks of our Capitol. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves the way we pieced these things together."

Now, just as Flake would have wanted it, the state seems poised to provide a little cohesiveness to the Capitol corridor.

Plans for the Centennial will focus on a renovated historic statehouse – the original state Capitol building from 1900 – which includes an executive office for the governor and caucus rooms for members of the Legislature.

Wesley Bolin Plaza and Capitol grounds also will be redesigned.  Additional offices are planned for the state Senate and House, as well as renovation of existing structures.

Solar panels will be installed on the roofs of all post-1920 buildings, including the Senate and House buildings and the Executive Tower.

Other conceptual ideas include more shaded areas, moving parking to an off-site location and the creation of an underground complex connecting the House and the Senate.

The 2020 vision proposes long-term ideas on revitalization and redevelopment of the Capitol area to showcase Phoenix's role as the nation's most populous state capitol city. The plan focuses on improving transportation services and local amenities as well as an "urban reforestation" of the mall, and seeks to encourage private investment in housing and neighborhood services.

Estimates for costs are still being developed at this time, according to project coordinator Patrick Penetta at ASU.