Renovation of the state Capitol will be a project of epic proportions.
Apparently so big that the Capitol Preservation Board is considering hiring not one but two public relations firms to publicize it.
And proposed contracts with Alpha Strategies and MLK won't come cheap. Total cost for the first 15 months is $210,000. Given that the Capitol Hill reconstruction project won't be completed for at least six to eight years, shaping its image could cost the state more than $1 million.
During a discussion about the proposal Thursday, the board, comprised of the state's most powerful politicians and headed by Gov. Mike Leavitt, pleaded naivete when it comes to public relations.
The Legislature created the board in 1998 with a charge to preserve the historic building and oversee facilities on Capitol Hill.
Board member Jeff Bennion, who presented the public relations plan Thursday, said one of the goals is "creating buy-in" to the estimated $240 million project scheduled to start spring 2002.
MLK would be responsible for getting the word out to local print and broadcast media while Alpha Strategies would compile a book and make a video. Principals in both companies — MLK's Mary Kay Lazarus and Ron Fox of newly formed Alpha Strategies — have worked on Republican candidates' campaigns in the past.
"I question the amount of money for the amount of work" the firms will do, said board member Rep. Ralph Becker, D—Salt Lake.
State fiscal analyst Kevin Walthers also wondered about some of the fees. An "education outreach" program, which he said amounted to one lesson plan, is listed at $7,500.
"That's a third of what a starting teacher makes," he said.
Another task would be to compile a list of press contacts, something Walthers said he could easily do in an hour. He also pointed out that proposed online publicity could be handled by the state's eUtah program for free.
After listening for a while, Lt. Gov. Olene Walker said, "Isn't this pretty much what a public information officer would do?"
That launched a discussion about whether the state should hire a staff member to do public relations for the preservation board.
House Speaker Marty Stephens, R—Farr West, said he thought doing it in-house would be less expensive than paying two outside firms.
Board executive director David Hart conceded that he hadn't thought of putting someone on staff.
But Senate President Al Mansell, R—Sandy, found it "worrisome" to use one PR person as opposed to an entire firm, which he said would have a wider range of capabilities and contacts.
Board member Larry Reaveley, a University of Utah civil engineering professor, suggested the board hire a public information officer and a public relations firm.
The board decided to hold off on a final decision until a future meeting.
The Legislature earmarked $41 million for the first phase of the project slated to begin next spring with construction of two multistory office buildings between the Capitol and State Office Building. State officials will move into the new space while the Capitol undergoes extensive renovation and a seismic upgrade.
E-mail: romboy@desnews.com