Legislative Governmental Mall Commission

Senator Flake Representative Kavanagh

Kevin DeMenna Lynne Smith

Donald Keuth, Jr. Tom Smith, Chairman

David Richert

Members Absent

Heidi Birch Roger Dee Manny

LeRoy Brady Joy Rich

Thomas Chapman

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Smith stated that previous minutes cannot be approved because a quorum of the voting members is not present.

Update on Enduring Freedom Memorial

Chairman Smith referred to a brochure used to raise funds for the Enduring Freedom Memorial (Attachment 1). He noted that there are six sides on the base of the memorial. The initial concept was to have insignias for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard on five sides, with a statement engraved on the other side; however, the National Guard had a few casualties, so the sixth side will be used by the National Guard. The plan was to also include a statement from each of the military services, but since some of the services believed approval would be needed from Washington, D.C., which would probably be difficult to obtain, those statements were eliminated. Casualties will be engraved underneath the appropriate insignia in chronological order. At present, the Army has 75 people killed in action (KIA), the Marine Corps 35, the Air Force 3, the Navy 6, the Coast Guard 0 and the National Guard 3. Additions will be made on an annual basis.

Chairman Smith stated that the memorial has a field cross. The military person is saluting the flag and field cross, which is a designation to a fallen warrior that he will not be fighting back. The rifle without the magazine represents that the fight is finished. The dog tags, helmet and boots imply that the comrade paid the ultimate price.

Mr. Kavanagh asked if the military cross and items like the missing magazine are confirmed as standard. Chairman Smith responded affirmatively, adding that military personnel also checked to be sure the equipment on the soldier is what is currently used. He indicated to Lynne Smith that the memorial will be engraved with the title, Enduring Freedom, and the field cross will contain the wording:

Our Heroes

Always Loved

Never Forgotten

The Members decided to move on to the next agenda item until a quorum is present to vote on the memorial.

Update on Concepts for new Capitol Buildings for Subcommittee

Senator Flake stated that the concept of new or rejuvenated House and Senate buildings is gaining some momentum. The original Capitol has some beautiful designs and architecture, but the House and Senate buildings and Executive Tower were added and do not blend together. Compared to Capitols in other states, Arizona’s looks dismal, and the buildings have some maintenance problems. The House is the same size as the Senate, but houses twice as many people, which is ridiculous. The population in Arizona doubled in the last 10 years and may double again in the next 10 years, and even though there are no plans to enlarge the Legislature, that has to be examined from time to time. Steve Gervais worked with architects at Arizona State University who developed designs that were narrowed down to three. Even the Governor is showing some interest in this and the Arizona Republic agrees with the concept. When he was Speaker of the House, he raised the fact that it would be a great tribute to the state to dedicate new Capitol buildings in the Centennial year. He has also been talking to other people who have some ideas.

Steve Gervais, Phoenix Community Alliance, stated that when the Capitol Mall Plan was presented to the Commission a few months ago, concepts of building designs for a new Capitol building were shared, which means replacing, expanding or modifying the existing House and Senate buildings, but not demolishing or interfering with the original Capitol, which should be preserved and enhanced. A Subcommittee was formed with Senator Flake as the Chairman, and a meeting was held with all members present where a motion passed to build and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a new Capitol complex on the Centennial. He outlined the three concepts, all of which involve adding approximately 250,000 square feet:

Add a new building to the west of the Executive wing.
Expand the original Capitol by placing new House and Senate buildings where the parking lots are currently located.
Expand the existing buildings to the east with extensive renovations and new exteriors, doubling the capacity, with a connection at subsurface level. The appearance from Wesley Bolin Plaza to the original Capitol would be one grand Capitol. There would be a descent from Wesley Bolin Plaza (17^th Avenue would go away) into the entrance of the new Capitol where people would go to the right or left to get to the Senate or House. The new chambers for the Senate and House would face each other so there could be interaction in a common lobby area, which is one of the important things mentioned by legislators.

Mr. Gervais said those concepts were refined, and with Mr. Keuth’s permission, application was made to the Centennial Commission to designate this as a Centennial project, which would involve additional stakeholders in the process. An appropriation of $2.1 million was made last session for Centennial projects, which would have to be matched by $5 million from the private sector, for a total of $7.5 million. That is only the “tip of the iceberg” for a project of this size, but some funding may be provided. The application is pending and the next meeting of the Centennial Commission is May 24, 2007. Any encouragement by the Members in support of the project to the commissioners would be appreciated.

He related that with Senator Flake’s assistance, a meeting was held with House Speaker Weiers, who urged that the project move forward. That came off the heels of submission of a budget request through the Governor’s Office for $40 million (which has since been reduced) for a number of items, $14 million of which is for Capitol Mall improvements, design, parking facilities, etc. That was not discussed with Speaker Weiers, but he had the information available.

Mr. Gervais related that Senator Flake will meet with Senate President Bee on April 30, 2007 about inclusion of money in the budget for a new Capitol complex. Also, the City Manager’s Office at the City of Phoenix was updated and application was made for the Flag Walk Project lining Washington from downtown Phoenix to the Capitol, which should also qualify as a Centennial project. Once the application is approved, efforts will be made to raise money through the private sector to mount Arizona flags on the light poles.

Mr. Gervais indicated to Chairman Smith that the third conceptual design provides the best opportunity for communication and intermingling between the Senate and House. He advised that the design of the original Capitol was three times the size of what was actually built. The building was scaled back for financial reasons and cost $150,000, and local materials were used to save even more money. In 1960, the House and Senate buildings cost $3 million, or
$1.5 million each, and the architecture is questionable. Those buildings were also scaled down for financial reasons. It is interesting to read newsclips about the opening of the buildings because one reporter was very enamored and said he felt like he was in Las Vegas.

Senator Flake stated that he does not want to settle for second best again. A funding source is needed, whether it is bonding, setting money aside or a specific revenue stream. Some public figures also need to speak out on this, and one idea is to form a committee composed of former Arizona governors with a “mover and shaker” like Fife Symington as chairman. He stated that even the third design does not get the Senate and House as close together as Senator Huppenthal would like, so perhaps the design could be worked on further so the two houses are within the same circle, and even the Executive Office. That would mean one large, new building, but the Senate and House buildings and Tower could be remodeled for other agencies. Like the Utah Capitol and others he has seen, there could be a large inside area for very important events.

Mr. Kavanagh asked if the designs involve eventual removal of the Executive Tower since he does not believe the present Capitol will be the focal point of anything as long as it is dominated by the Executive Tower. Mr. Gervais said what is envisioned under all of the scenarios, which has been discussed with the Executive Office and the Arizona Department of Administration, are exterior changes so the Executive Tower looks more incorporated into the Capitol. He endorsed
Senator Flake’s suggestions, adding that monies need to be appropriated for design details in order to determine the cost.

Senator Flake stated that he supports the $40 million in the Governor’s budget for capital improvements, but only $14 million would go toward what he is concerned about, and
$20 million is for a parking garage that may be needed; however, he would prefer that the
$40 million be used for the Capitol and then the parking garage, etc., worked on.

Mr. Keuth suggested that this would be a tremendous opportunity for a national design competition with some parameters set in order to remain within the budget. Talented people could provide ideas because the new Capitol should be a showpiece for energy conservation, technology enhancements and sustainable design.

When Chairman Smith asked if a list of objectives is available for the new Capitol,
Mr. Gervais submitted that the design guidelines set forth to follow such as connectivity, sustainability, functionality and feasibility were previously offered to the Commission with the Master Plan. It is a good starting point to which the Subcommittee may want to add some suggestions.

Mr. Richert remarked that saving the center of the site puts a constraint on trying to gather things together and suggested looking at all sides of 19^th Avenue, which could possibly be invigorated by this project.

Public Testimony

Ed Casper, representing self, related that he first became involved with the Legislature while advocating for building a football stadium, which was done with a public/private partnership. He argued for building the football stadium with the idea that he is willing to pay for it, and three-quarters of the cost is paid for by the users. He is personally willing “to put his money where his mouth is” to help pay for this, and supports anything that can be done to get the private sector involved, including building some government buildings. He indicated that a new concept in urban design may be helpful to state workers who cannot afford to commute long distances, whereby condos could be built on top of state office buildings and a few restaurants underneath or on the bottom floor. He endorsed Senator Flake’s suggestion to have Fife Symington chair the committee because he is a developer and would bring some tremendous ideas to the table.

Senator Flake remarked that if the Cardinal’s stadium and the Taj Mahal of a Civic Center can be built, etc., there is a way to do this. Mr. Casper added that it does not have to be a Taj Mahal, but it could be a very nice, functional building that incorporates enough architecture so it has a Taj Mahal look and feel.

Senator Flake clarified that he was not being critical about the Civic Center. Mr. Casper indicated that one of the features most criticized about the Cardinal’s stadium, because it was misunderstood, was the roll-out field; however, one of the benefits is that conventions, trade shows, etc., are held there almost every weekend because the field rolls out. He added that an architectural contest is a tremendous idea.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.

________________________________

Linda Taylor, Committee Secretary

May 1, 2007

(Original minutes, attachment, and audio are on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk.)

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LEGISLATIVE GOVERNMENTAL MALL COMMISSION

April 27, 2007

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Members Present