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Take a rare, up close look at the state Capitol dome restoration

Posted at 6:08 PM, Jul 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-28 18:08:20-04

LANSING, Mich. -- The state Capitol building usually attracts interest for what goes on inside the historic building. However, the outside of the building and that famous dome are getting some much needed attention these days.

"We get a lot of questions from people in terms of what's going on, when will it be painted, when's the scaffolding coming down. So we thought the best way to let the public know what's going on is to go through the media, give the media a tour. First time it's ever been done in this building's history," John Truscott, vice chair of the state capitol commission said.

After learning what to expect on the tour and going over safety precautions, a group of journalists climbed the narrow stairway inside the state Capitol that not many have seen in its 136-year history.

The Christman Company is doing the restoration. Ronald Staley is the vice president of the company.

"We had stone that was continuing to deteriorate, some of the sandstone, and so it was getting to the point where, actually we had to make sure pieces weren't falling off and injuring either the building or the public," Staley said.

Watch the video for more.

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