In response to the competition requirement that the new Capitol be built in a fiscally responsible manner, Bertram Goodhue’s “cross within square” floor plan allowed construction to begin around the old Capitol while still occupied, and workers still conducting state business. After the north and south sections of the outer square of the new building were constructed around the old, the offices were moved into the new and the old demolished. The second construction phase included the east side of the square and the north, south and east arms of the cross. Third phase construction completed the tower. In the final phase, workers finished the remaining west arm of the cross, completing the building in 1932 after ten years of construction. When landscaping was completed in 1934, the Capitol was fully paid for at a cost of $9.8 million. February, 1919: Legislature passed Bill to create Capitol Commission and fund Capitol Construction June, 1919: Capitol Commission hires T.R. Kimball as architectural advisor December, 1919: Preliminary Competition identifies three Nebraska architects for Final Competition June, 1920: Judgement of Final Competition, Jury choses Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue November, 1920: Commission signs contract with Architect April 15, 1922: Groundbreaking for new Capitol by Governor Samuel R. McKelvie April, 1922: First contract awarded to W.J. Assenmacher Co. for the excavation of the site and laying of foundation. July, 1922: Contract awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for first phase superstructure construction (north and south sections of square base) November 11, 1922: Cornerstone laid with American Legion participating April 24, 1924: Death of architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue November, 1924: Contract signed with Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Associates for continuance of archtiectural work December, 1924: State offices moved from old building to newly completed outer square of new building March 1925: Contracts awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for demolition of old Capitol April 1925: Contracts for second construction phase awarded to J.H. Weise Co. (east side, east, north and south arms of cross, and base of tower) February 1928: Contracts for third phase construction (tower) awarded to Peter Kiewit Sons Co. April 24, 1930: “The Sower” was raised to the top of the Capitol June 1930: Contracts awarded to W. J. Assenmacher Co. for the fourth phase of construction August, 1931: Contracts awarded for grounds lighting September, 1931: Contracts awarded for landscape excavating, grading and concrete work January, 1932: Contracts awarded for Furnishings including furniture and floor covering April, 1932: Contracts awarded for Lamp Posts May, 1932: Contracts awarded for sodding of the grounds February, 1934: Contracts awarded for planting trees and shrubs on Capitol grounds Architectural Expenses
$452,074.68 Capitol Commission Expenses
40,421.88 Inspection Expenses
120,585.32 Miscellaneous Expense Items
539,787.00 Furnishings and Decorations
537,579.36 First Construction
2,562,917.62 Wrecking Old Building
49,642.81 Second Construction
3,015,460.20 Third Construction
1,487,309.74 Fourth Construction
887,756.79
Landscaping
131,093.46