Capitol visitor center gets a date

WASHINGTON – A visitor center for Capitol tourists will open next fall at a cost of more than $500 million, the Capitol’s chief architect told skeptical lawmakers on Tuesday.

The center, the largest and most expensive construction project in the building’s 200-year history, has been plagued by cost overruns and delays.

“My own guess is that I’d be happy if this thing were open by Labor Day of 2007,” said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

“I think this project illustrates the problems that how government is inherently wasteful and inefficient,” said Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif.

Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman, called to a hearing before the committee that controls government spending, said security upgrades, construction difficulties and House and Senate work space requirements have complicated the project.

Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., said the architect’s request for $37 million to finish the project next year brings its total cost to $528 million, leading him to question the original $265 million estimate.

“This (center) was never going to fall into that range,” Lewis said. “Were we just attempting to allow the Congress to think they could have a free lunch going forward with this project?”

Hantman said he believes the center can be completed for no more than $517 million, an estimate made by the Government Accountability Office.

“The truth is, nobody around here really believes that,” said Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill. “I hope that you do, but I doubt if there are many people up on this dais that do.”

Obey said he had stopped approving new work on the center, pending the hearing, so he could ask questions about construction and design.

The visitor center plans call for a theater that can be used as an alternate House chamber. It includes media studios, a large hearing room and two meeting rooms available to House lawmakers.