During the Nebraska State Capitol’s 1922-32 construction period, with limited space on site for a power plant, the state took advantage of the University of Nebraska’s 1929 construction of a new coal fired power plant and enlarged the system to handle both facilities. The Capitol then relied on steam generated at the University’s 14th and U Street power plant and sent through pipes in a tunnel under 14th street to fill radiators located throughout the building. In the 1960’s, the decision was made to upgrade the Capitol’s system to accommodate chilled water provided by the University’s system and cool offices in summer. Most of the original radiators were replaced with induction units which pass air over heated or cooled fan coils. The 1964 units used the original one pipe supply and one pipe return system; the Capitol could be heated or cooled, but not at the same time. The temperature fluctuations of Nebraska‘s spring and autumn seasons mean elected officials and staff in the Capitol spend some time each year too hot or too cold. By the mid-1990’s the aging pipes under 14th Street could no longer carry high pressure steam safely. A natural gas fired steam generation facility was built near the Capitol rather than replace the pipes coming from the University which continue to carry chilled water to the Capitol. The standard life of a HVAC system is 20 – 30 years. Considering the Capitol’s system was approaching 60 years of use, the difficulties encountered keeping the system running, and the level of discomfort in the building, the Nebraska Legislature decided in 2014 it was time for a new system and tasked the Office of the Capitol Commission with a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Replacement and Window Restoration Project. 

The Office of the Capitol Commission hired consulting architects BVHARCHITECTURE and consulting engineers Alvine Associates to research systems and develop alternatives for the Capitol. It was determined a closed loop ground source geothermal system was the most energy efficient and cost effective over the long term. Fortunately, the State of Nebraska had just acquired a city block size surface parking lot one block from the Capitol which proved ideal for geothermal well field. A two year planning and design phase fine-tuned the system and its installation. New fan coil units with the capability for individual office temperature control will be installed in most areas of the Capitol. Depending upon the need, the system will pull heat from or put heat into water circulating in a continuous closed loop from the Capitol to the well field. During the coldest months the system will be backed up with steam from the state’s natural gas steam plant near the Capitol.

Several additional projects will accompany the HVAC work. Along with the installation of new fan coil units in offices, the original steam radiators in the Capitol at entrances, in corridors and in stairways will be reconditioned and reused. Key to the efficiency and energy savings of the project will be the repair and weather-stripping of the Capitol’s windows. Because the project will require removing staff from every office in the building during the demolition and construction process, the Office of the Capitol Commission will improve the life safety system in the Capitol, installing a new fire alarm/emergency notification system and fire sprinklers where needed. A backup  emergency generator will be constructed off-site in space shared with the Office of the Chief Information Officer. During well field construction, footings able to accommodate a future parking garage and office building will be installed to expand the future potential use of the well field site.

During Phase I of the HVAC Project the contractor will move into a shop in the Capitol’s basement and develop a work schedule with the numerous subcontractors. At the well field site bounded by 17th, 18th, K and L Streets 225 wells 670’ deep will be drilled and piping installed. Underground directional boring will bring the pipes carrying the recirculating water to the northeast side of the Capitol via K Street. A backup generator will be installed off-site. Inside the Capitol, contractors will install temporary partition walls for safety and security in the work area. Contractors will remove all existing HVAC equipment in the southwest quadrant of the Capitol, and install the new fan coil units and refrigerant lines. All windows in the Phase I area will be removed, repaired and reinstalled with weather-stripping. All corridor lamps will be removed and the suspended corridor ceilings demolished. The plaster corridor ceilings will be restored to their original height and corridor lamps replaced in their original configuration using new longer chains.

During Phase I of the HVAC Project, contractor’s established a presence in the Capitol’s basement and organized the numerous subcontractors, the well field and piping were installed, and a backup generator was installed off-site. Inside the Capitol, in Phase II, the contractors will move temporary partition walls to the Southeast quadrant and repeat the process of removing all existing HVAC equipment in the quadrant and  installing the new fan coil units and refrigerant lines. Windows in the Phase II area will be repaired and fitted with weather-stripping. Corridor lamps will be removed and the first floor corridor ceilings restored to original height. Corridor lamps will be returned to their original configuration using new longer chains. The Capitol Dining Room will return to its original location and the History Nebraska Gift Store will move to a temporary location. Phase II will upgrade systems in the Supreme Court, the State Law Library, and the East Legislative Chamber and Lounge.

Phase 2 of the HVAC project began in January 2020 and closed the southeast quadrant of the Nebraska State Capitol, most impacting the Judicial Branch of Nebraska’s Government. Court staff have been relocated to the tower, with all services except those of the Clerk of the Courts being conducted on the 10th floor. The Clerk’s Office is relocated to the southwest hall near the public entrance of the Court of Appeals where both Supreme and Appeals Courts will meet until Phase II is completed in Autumn 2021. Contractors are using the east entrance for material movement, but the entrance is also open for public access. The east and south stairs from first to second floor are closed as those stairs and corridors are now in the construction area. History Nebraska’s Gift Store is temporarily located near the east entrance in Room #1301. Copy services and the mail room join the cafe on the west side of first floor south center corridor. The Legislature will not be as impacted as in Phase I, but six senators will still office in the tower. Access to the senators on 11th floor will require a phone call to their office first. One hearing room and the Warner Chamber will be out of service during Phase II, and there are still no rooms for meetings with groups of senators or school lunches.

Phase 3 of the HVAC Project began in November of 2021 and closed the northwest quadrant of the Nebraska State Capitol. This quadrant is predominantly adaptive use office space and the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber and Lounge. The Nebraska State Treasurer’s office is included in this phase of the replacement project. Senators and their legislative staff have been relocated to tower floors 8, 10, 11 and 12. Access to the senators on these floors will require a phone call to their office first and a staff person will come to escort visitors to the tower offices. The Clerk of the Legislature’s Office is relocated to the southwest quadrant on second floor. The Legislative Bill Room is relocated to the southwest quadrant on ground floor. Contractors are using the west entrance for material movement, the entrance is open for public access but public traffic will be routed to the south and east to gain access to the main areas of first floor. The outer west stair and center west corridor are closed. The Legislative Chamber will be minimally impacted in Phase 3. The Warner Chamber will be out of service during Phase 3, and there are still no rooms for meetings with groups of senators or school lunches. The accessible elevator is in the construction area and is available with a staff escort.