Legislators' quarters to get a bit more comfy

With just two unisex bathrooms for the 75 members of the Utah House in their temporary quarters at the State Capitol complex, there could have been some long lines during the legislative session come January.

But lawmakers have decided to remodel their facilities in the basement of the west office building to accommodate up to six people at a time — three each in what will be separate restrooms for men and women.

The renovation is part of a larger effort to fix some of the problems that have surfaced since the Capitol itself closed this summer for a four-year earthquake retrofitting project, forcing state officials into the adjacent state office buildings.

"Some things we missed," said David Hart, executive director of the Capitol Preservation Board, which is overseeing the construction projects. "We underestimated the restrooms."

Hart said about $85,000 has been budgeted to install the new restrooms, as well as to make modifications to the House chamber and other changes, including a more convenient entrance to a conference room used for GOP caucuses.

The work should be finished before the 2005 Legislature convenes in mid-January.

"I just wanted to make sure it's functional before I leave," said outgoing House Speaker Marty Stephens, R-Farr West. He said that some of the problems couldn't have been foreseen until the rooms were actually used.

Except for the lack of restrooms, which Stephens said could have been better planned. No one has decided yet whether the new facilities will be permanent or will be removed when the building is remodeled again after lawmakers leave.

Other problems weren't evident until the House met for the first time in the new chambers, during October's one-day special legislative session. "The noise from the halls is terrible," Stephens said. "The sound bounces around a lot more."

In the House gallery shared by the press and the public, however, all that can be heard is what's picked up by microphones. Stephens said that will be remedied by removing part of a glass window separating the gallery from the chambers.

Also, the speaker's dais built for the temporary chambers doesn't leave enough room for senators to join the representatives for special events, such as the governor's annual State of the State address.

Stephens said the old, smaller, dais used in the Capitol will be moved over, to free up space — and save the cost of constructing yet another one. The chambers will be converted into an auditorium.

House leadership is sacrificing some space for not only one of the new restrooms, but also a new entrance to the caucus room. Right now, it's only accessible through the door of a room set aside to broadcast the session to overflow crowds or hold committee hearings.

Stephens said he was generally happy despite the need for changes.

"I don't know that you could point your finger," he said. "When you look back, you can always say, 'I wish we would have done this different or that different.' Overall, it's a nice building. It's not extravagant. It's going to be functional with these modifications."

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