Sen. Thompson calls opening of new Capitol visitor entrance a milestone as restoration project enters final stretch

With the state Capitol restoration project just two years away from completion, Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson called Wednesday’s grand opening of the new ground floor visitor entrance a milestone in Oklahoma history.

Thompson has been a member of the Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee since 2016 and was among the featured speakers for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Senators Larry Boggs, R-Red Oak, and Julia Kirt D-Oklahoma City, also serve on the committee and attended the event as well. Thompson, R-Okemah, said 2020 had been a year no one would forget, and that it was time for a little good news.  He called Wednesday’s dedication a victory for the people of Oklahoma and an important milestone in the state’s nearly 113-year history. 

“Our forefathers … began to build this building in 1914, finished this building in 1917, and we stand here 103 years later dedicating a visitors center that proclaims to all Oklahoma, the nation and world that Oklahoma is still strong, Oklahoma is still growing, and Oklahoma is still open for business,” Thompson, said. “And we stand here today on the shoulders of those who came before us declaring that we will build on their foundation to serve the generations to come.”

The new entrance, located on the southeast side of the building, will bring all who come to the Capitol into a new visitor center on the ground floor of the building, with public meeting spaces, art and historical collections, and other amenities. 

The restoration project is on track for completion in mid-2022.

For more information, contact Sen. Roger Thompson at 405-521-5588 or email Roger.Thompson@oksenate.gov. 

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