Arkansas lawmakers approve underground tunnel on State Capitol Grounds

(UI) — State legislators in Arkansas have granted their endorsement for the creation of an underground corridor linking the state Capitol with a nearby structure housing meeting spaces and legislative offices, according to the Magnolia Reporter.

The underground pathway leading to the Multi-Agency Complex, often dubbed "Big MAC," has long been a desired addition by certain lawmakers and state figures. However, it has consistently been rejected due to concerns about wastefulness and lack of necessity.

Nevertheless, the project, which surpasses $3.6 million in budget, has garnered increased backing in recent months. This shift in support can be attributed to its synchronization with an upgrade to the Capitol's air conditioning system. The air conditioning enhancement mandates significant ground excavation, aligning with the tunnel construction.

Positioned approximately 50 yards downhill to the west of the Capitol, the Multi-Agency Complex accommodates two committee meeting rooms, legislative personnel offices, and various state agency facilities.

Contemplations persist about whether the tunnel will be publicly accessible, triggering opposition to the plan.

Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, Chair of the House Budget Committee, voiced his dissent, stating to the Arkansas Advocate, “I'm going to vote against this. I want to be on record: I don’t believe this is a proper expenditure of public money.”

Following a divided vocal vote, the committee granted final endorsement to a projected $3.61 million contract for construction, awarded to Kinco Constructors, LLC, headquartered in Little Rock.

The anticipated completion date for the project is early 2025, timed to coincide with the Legislature's regular session, as indicated by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, Co-Chair of the Arkansas Legislative Council, which provided the green light for the initiative last week.

Although funding for the tunnel was originally allocated in 2009, then-Governor Mike Beebe, a Democrat, withheld disbursement, arguing the tunnel's superfluity.

In more recent discussions earlier this year, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders expressed reservations regarding the financial implications and necessity of the tunnel to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Alexa Henning, communications director for Sanders, stated to the Arkansas Advocate, "The General Assembly operates independently, and if legislators perceive this upgrade as a responsible use of taxpayer funds to enhance our Capitol, they possess the authority to advance these enhancements."

Last week, the Legislative Council additionally authorized an extra $4.5 million in expenditure authorization for Secretary of State John Thurston. These funds are earmarked for the installment of a new air handling system to cool the northern section of the Capitol.

Given that this endeavor necessitates excavation between the Capitol and Multi-Agency Complex, legislators contend that executing the tunnel project concurrently would prove more cost-effective.

This story was originally published by the Arkansas Advocate.

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