Workers are now renovating the observation deck of the Oregon State Capitol, which offers arguably the best panoramic view in Salem.

A four-man crew from Pioneer Waterproofing Company began removing the terra cotta tile from the circular platform around the pedestal of the Oregon Pioneer on Monday.

Demolition is expected to take about two weeks, and the goal is to finish the project by the end of August, according to general contractor Hoffman Construction.

The flashing along the deck’s inside wall also will be removed. The flashing and the tile will be replaced with similar materials — terra cotta for the floor and stainless steel for the wall — preserving the familiar look when public tower tours eventually resume.

For generations, visitors of all ages have climbed the steep, 121-step spiral staircase to reach the observation deck. But the view from the deck has been essentially limited to construction workers since spring 2022.

Access is limited to guided tours, which pass through unmarked doors and a hidden corridor above the rotunda to reach the summit about 122 feet above the ground — the equivalent of more than 10 stories.

The destination provides an up-close look at the 23-foot-tall, 24-karat gold-leaf covered pioneer statute, aka the Gold Man, one of Oregon’s most recognized and beloved icons.

Just as much of a draw is the breathtaking 360-degree view of Salem and beyond. On clear days, visitors can see for miles, even simultaneously spotting Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.

Work on the 48-foot-diameter observation deck is overdue. The flooring is more than 30 years old; it was previously replaced in the early 1990s.

The demo crew made quick work of the tile on Day 1 but still had multiple layers of concrete and waterproofing material to get through using a roto hammer.

After demolition, a crane will lower bagged debris from the deck and lift new materials in place, and a new waterproofing membrane will be installed before the tile. The crane is scheduled to be on-site July 28; State Street will be closed that night.

Officials monitored the forecast closely, waiting for a rain-free window to waterproof the area and protect the restored rotunda murals below.

The rotunda underwent structural reinforcement, surface restoration and artistic preservation during the $596 million Capitol Accessibility, Maintenance and Safety (CAMS) project.

The observation deck work is part of the CAMS project and includes new drains and new LED lighting, which already has been installed. The stairwell will be repainted after deck work is complete.

The current four-year pause in public tower tours ranks among the longest in recent Capitol history.

In 1988, tours were suspended over concerns about toxic asbestos insulation and the structural integrity of the upper dome. Before that work was finished, the 5.6-magnitude “Spring Break Quake” in Scotts Mills shook the Capitol in 1993.

The rotunda sustained severe cracking and bulged outward by about three feet. Cracks in the mortar around the Gold Man’s marble base allowed the 17,000-pound statue to shift a fraction of an inch.

By late 1994, crews had completed work to strengthen the rotunda walls and the upper dome below the statue. The Gold Man also was seismically retrofitted.

Tours of the tower resumed in July 1995, after a nearly seven-year absence.

The Capitol’s recent multiyear construction project included additional reinforcements to the rotunda and the connections securing the statue, causing the current pause in tours.

The last school tours of the tower took place in spring 2022 before the Capitol closed for CAMS. Before that, the Capitol was closed for 16 months during the pandemic.

It is unknown when the tours will resume, or if at all this year. The tour season typically wraps up at the end of September. Capitol officials recommend checking the event calendar prior to visiting at Oregoncapitol.com, where tower tours will be listed.

When they resume, reservations will not be required; however, space will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no ADA access, and tours will be canceled if it is raining or temperatures exceed 85 degrees.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in The Statesman Journal and then was distributed on the USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.

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