Iowa State Historical Building should be repaired

Being responsible for constructing the State Historical and Library Building was the highlight of my working career. I was the Director of General Services for the State of Iowa from 1982 until 1991. It was during those years the building was created. The state approved $10 million in my first budget which was to be matched by $10 million from private sources. A committee headed up by Jay Tone did accomplish that goal. Before it was finished an additional $5 million was required for a total of $25 million.

I want to be clear that neither I nor anyone in my department had anything to do with writing the specifications. These were all provided by the staff of Cultural Affairs. The end result was a huge building, too large to be placed on Capitol grounds, so a block was purchased and cleared at the foot of the Capitol. The block was excavated to 30 feet below street level with deep footings below that. This building is as solid as any can be. Below ground was space for storage, many shops so the staff could restore artifacts and create exhibits and mechanical equipment. The building rose out of the ground as two separate structures, one for the library and the other for history. The library was provided movable racks to minimize space and the history section two large black spaces to be used to display artifacts. There was an area set aside for traveling exhibits to try to provide something new to attract visitors to return. This area no longer exists. It was converted to office space. We added skylights and planters to give it a special look. As I returned for visits the 10 years after retiring, it provided satisfaction that the greenery was progressing satisfactorily.

The current Director of Cultural Affairs doesn't possess the same vision as her predecessors. She provided a plan that would destroy the original concept by reducing the display area and eliminating half the structure, even proposing to use some of the remaining space for a visitor center and commercial. This would destroy the original concept of being able to add to the collection over time and have the space to do it. She and others have declared the building as a crumbling structure and incapable of correcting. From pictures it appears that the exterior looks the same as when constructed. Any issue such as leaking pipes can be corrected. If the mechanical system needs to be upgraded or replaced then just do it. Much has been written about condensation from the skylights. This I accept but not as a major problem. The granite panels are anchored by stainless steel hooks which will never rust or fail.

From far away I am distressed with the negative comments from people like Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie and Jerome Thompson, who has been quoted as saying I erred by having the state be the general contractor. I did it to save $1 million. It was not an irrational act. I had a graduate architect on my staff who accepted the responsibility of monitoring the project. We also hired a supervisor who lived in a trailer on site full time to assure proper workmanship. I visited as much as time would allow especially when contractor meetings were required. The site was visited on a weekly basis by representatives of Brown, Healy and Boch - the architectural firm responsible for the design. I can assure you that the workers took special interest in constructing this for all Iowans.

I am pleased to see that Senator Matt McCoy has decreed that the building be repaired not demolished. I can only hope his plan is adopted and that an entity other than Cultural Affairs be given responsibility for it.

' Jack B. Walters was Director of General Services for the State of Iowa from 1982 until 1991. He lives in Tuscon, AZ.