Watch CBS News

Capitol Architect Defends $700K Doors Installed On Statehouse

Architect Defends Statehouse Doors

(CBS) – The state architect overseeing the Illinois Capitol renovation– including its controversial copper-clad doors -- installed at a cost of nearly $700,000 – is firing back at critical comments made by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Architect Richard Alsop III answered questions briefly Friday following a Capitol Architect Board meeting, WBBM Newsradio's Dave Dahl reports.

"The governor makes it sound like we've got a rogue architect that needs to be, in his words, 'reigned in,'" Alsop says. "What doesn't the governor understand about the process?"

He says the $50 million renovation effort is controlled by Quinn's executive branch. Alsop adds that several players signed off on the overall project to revamp the historic Statehouse in Springfield.

The four-member board issued a statement saying the items getting attention now are a fraction of the entire project, supported by a 2009 major-construction plan, Illinois Jobs Now.

Critics earlier this month took issue with the set of copper doors, saying the material is extravagant at a time when the state is broke and regular Illinoisans are struggling.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.