Years later, the Capitol Annex Project continues to grow more expensive AND dangerous

OPINION – As the Past Chair of the Historic State Capitol Commission, I wrote several years ago about  the grossly expensive and controversial Capitol Annex Project. Unfortunately, after nearly 3 years, it’s only gotten worse.

The proposed design of the building to replace the historic (now demolished) Capitol Annex is an all-glass façade that is not just historically incompatible, but a dangerous compromise of security, especially for the children and visitors who frequent the Capitol grounds. As someone who knows a thing or two about buildings and calls California home, I’m seriously worried.

After what happened on January 6, 2020, or when rocks were thrown through the Capitol windows, you’d expect our lawmakers to pay attention to public security. Instead, they’re choosing an all- glass building, ignoring the fact that it offers no protection from gunfire and allows terrorists to see where the CHP is taking the public or the Legislators.

While California’s playing with glass, other states like Florida and Texas are getting serious about safety. They’re ripping out their old windows and replacing them with tough, bulletproof ones. It’s like they understand that protecting their Capitol isn’t just about looks—it’s about keeping people safe.

But back in California, it’s like legislators have their heads in the clouds. While Capitol Annex Project leader, (former) Assemblymember Ken Cooley had the chance, post-January 6, to change the design and use the protective granite and white plaster that would match the 1860’s Capitol, he simply asked for more money for his glass exterior – a lot more money.

It’s time for our lawmakers to wake up and face the truth. We can’t afford to gamble with our safety, especially when there are kids and families coming to visit every day. We need to pause the project and move forward with meaningful approaches and collaborative decisions that better position our state and legislators for generations to come. This shouldn’t be a difficult ask, especially when so many Californians still don’t know what’s going on with the project.

Lawmakers had the opportunity to take the high-road, listen to more than 75% of Californians and concentrate on fixing problems that affect everyone in California. Instead, they prematurely tore down the Annex with no approved replacement plan in place–forcing their folly of an all-glass design to appear as the only option.

The Legislature and Governor also chose to not take the high road in 2022. They used a back-door process to quickly pass a last-minute trailer bill under not only our noses, but also the court’s. This move allowed the project to sidestep the statutorily required consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, which likely would have pointed out how an all-glass exterior violates the federal Secretary of the Interior Standards (which the State has committed to follow.)

By avoiding this consultation and the associated public record of its proceedings, legislators bypassed crucial money-saving advice, undermined justice, and set a disheartening precedent. As highlighted by Justice Krueger in his opinion on the matter, “The Legislature has gutted Plaintiff’s case like a fish.”

As citizens, we must hold our legislators accountable and demand better. Californians deserve a government that operates with honesty, integrity, and the best interests of its people at heart. It’s time for the Legislature to take note of the safety risks of an all-glass Capitol and truly listen to the people. It’s not too late.

Richard (Dick) Cowan is the former chair of the Historic State Capitol Commission