Sadly, the State is demolishing the historic Capitol Annex. Fortunately, Public Accountability for Our Capitol and Save Our Capitol are not giving up. We can still make significant changes.
Here’s what has been going on behind the scenes:
1) The Appeals Court decision in January requires that a new EIR be developed and adopted before the Capitol Annex Project can go forward. Yes, demolition is moving forward, but new buildings (the Annex, the Parking Garage, and the Visitor Center) CANNOT be built without an EIR.
2) The Legislature and the Department of General Services are working on revising the provisions of the EIR that the Court threw out. The new EIR should be certified sometime in September. Building cannot begin until the court agrees that the revisions meet the appellate court’s ruling.
3) What can you do? We are still pushing the Legislature and the Governor for meaningful changes in the EIR:
a. Move the Visitor Center away from the West Side – to preserve the West Steps and Plaza.
b. Change the design of the Annex – to reduce its size and to change its surface from glass to a more suitable material.
c. Eliminate the underground garage, as there is a brand new Legislative parking garage being used right now in the Swing Space Building at the corner of 11th and O Street. Why dig a huge pit and take out palms to make a new garage?
Palms in Peril
In order to make space for the new parking garage, and for onsite buildings for construction, many 140-year old palms have been moved to other places in the park. Up to 43 palms will need to be removed if the Project continues. Many of those palms that have been used are dying. It is clear that best practices are not being followed, and it is likely that many trees will perish. We need to communicate to our Senators and Assemblymembers that this is unacceptable, and that these trees need immediate attention by an expert palm tree specialist. We must try to save these historic and beautiful palms.
The Capitol is in State Senator Ashby’s district. If you live in her district, please call her office at 916-651-4008 (Capitol office), and 916-262-2904 (District Office), and email her at senator.ashby@senate.ca.gov about these palms and the Project!