As work finally gets underway on rebuilding the University of Iowa’s centerpiece building, paying for the repairs has become a top concern. The cupola and golden dome of the Old Capitol were destroyed by fire last November, a blaze investigators blamed on workers using flame torches and heat guns to remove asbestos from the 161-year-old landmark. U-of-I officials have now filed a five-point-six million dollar insurance claim with FM Global and they’ve requested a three-million dollar cash advance so the repair work can keep rolling. It’s hoped the work on this first phase of repairs, to the cupola, dome and roof, will be done in February. The second phase involves putting in a $700,000 fire suppression system. After the spectacular fire, which came two months after the September 11th attacks, fundraising drives were launched to rebuild Old Capitol. They’ve collected about $111,000.
