For Immediate Release, September 2000
Capitol Dome Architect / Engineer Named
One of the state’s oldest, Oklahoma-owned, architectural and engineering firms has been named to design the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome project. Frankfurt-Short-Bruza Associates (FSB), founded in 1945, will work together with "Capitol Dome Builders" as part of the design-build team to complete the project. Manhattan Construction and Flintco, Inc. have joint ventured as "Capitol Dome Builders" for this project.
J. Blake Wade, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission said, "On behalf of the members of the Centennial Commission, we are extremely delighted that an Oklahoma firm with the outstanding credentials of Frankfurt-Short-Bruza will be a part of the design-build team for the Capitol Dome and will direct the architectural planning and engineering for this project."
FSB completed the State Capitol Dome feasibility study in 1998 for the Oklahoma Department of Central Services. This analysis was based upon the original construction documents and specifications from 1914 along with new testing of the Capitol’s structure. FSB’s Jim Bruza, Executive Vice President, is excited about the project. "Our firm has been involved in this project since the early 1960’s when we assisted Governor Bellmon with plans to add a Dome to the State Capitol. With Governor Keating and the Centennial Commission’s private fund raising efforts, we are finally seeing this historical project completed after 83 years and we are proud to be a part of it," he said.
Structural analysis and design are underway and the architectural and engineering staff of FSB plan to have completed construction documents by early 2001 with construction beginning April 2001. The architectural detailing of the dome includes both an external dome visible from the exterior and an inner dome visible from the rotunda. There are plans to reuse the stained glass seal of Oklahoma in the new inner dome.
FSB is well known for its historical preservation work. The recent renovation of the downtown Oklahoman Building resulted in a "Best Historical Rehabilitation in the State" award from the Oklahoma Main Street program.
Other significant projects the firm has been involved in include Oklahoma City’s MAPS projects, Kerr-McGee’s Corporate Headquarters, Gaillardia Commercial Development, Hertz’s Data & World Wide Reservations Centers, United Airlines’ Indianapolis Maintenance Center, Oklahoma State University’s Noble Research Center and Advanced Technology Research Center, American Airlines Maintenance & Engineering Center, and Conoco’s Corporate Headquarters in Ponca City.
