Leading senators issued the following statements after participating in Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony showcasing renovations at the state’s Jim Thorpe Memorial Building.
The $70 million renovation project to update the building near the state Capitol used by the Corporation Commission, State Election Board, Water Resources Board and other state agencies began in 2023.
Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Member of the Jim Thorpe Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee:
“This process was a labor of love. Years of saving, planning and careful construction that restored the building’s historic features while updating the space for today’s needs have brought the Jim Thorpe Memorial Office Building back to life. It was an honor to be part of this effort to reinvest in a valuable state asset that commemorates a great Oklahoman.”
Senator Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, Member of the Jim Thorpe Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee:
“If we want to attract the best and brightest Oklahomans to work in state government, we need office spaces where people want to come to work. This beautiful renovation will bring employees back to an office that supports them as they do the critical work of serving all Oklahomans. The Jim Thorpe Memorial Office Building houses hundreds of state employees and is a vital part of state government operations.”
Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, Co-author of legislation that appropriated $70 million for the building renovation:
“Preserving our state’s history does not mean leaving valuable state assets frozen in time. The Legislature created the Legacy Capital Fund to make targeted upgrades to facilities that support essential state functions. By planning ahead and investing in our state’s future, we now have a fiscally responsible way to upgrade public facilities while reducing costs for taxpayers in the long run.”
History of the building
The Jim Thorpe Building, constructed to provide much-needed office space for government employees, was first envisioned in the mid-1920s. With the increasing issue of overcrowding in the State Capitol, construction of the new office building soon ensued. Construction wrapped up in 1938, and tenants began officially occupying the building in 1942. At the time, the building was known as the State Capitol Office Building but was later renamed the Jim Thorpe Memorial Building in 1961 after the Oklahoma-born Olympic athlete. Since then, the building has housed various state government services, providing the accommodations necessary to support government operations through the years. The building has only seen minor remodels and repairs since its completion in 1938, leaving the structure outdated and deferring routine maintenance and upgrades.
