$100 Million Capitol Fix-up Waits for 2013

A $100 million restoration of the leaky U.S. Capitol dome is being delayed until after the 2013 presidential inauguration.

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The reason, says Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers: It will take three-plus years and he doesn't want scaffolding up for the next inauguration on Jan. 20, 2013. "It needs to be done now," he says, but the delays won't lead to any more damage. In the meantime, workers will repair and restore the lower skirt of the dome, a $20 million project. The remaining $80 million is for the full dome renovation, which includes repainting, recaulking, and repairing tears in the cast iron. The last major renovation was in the 1960s.

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