LINCOLN- High inside the Nebraska Capitol's Rotunda is an unused gallery where one can get a bird's eye view of the beautiful and immense artwork in the dome and mural-lined hallway of the building. Last Thursday, current and former senators joined in to tout a $3.9 million project to turn the currently vacant, fifth-floor space into a visitor's center complete with displays about the make-up of Nebraska's government and the history of the building itself.

"This could become one of the most popular viewing locations in the building, and a place of learning," said former State Sen. Dave Pankonin, who previously represented Louisville. Pankonin joined with current State Sen. Robert Clements to call for the passage of LB812, which would allocate the funds necessary to transform the gallery.

Previously, the fifth-floor space was intended to be a visitor's center by the Capitol's Architect, Bertram Goodhue, but has sat unused for nearly four decades. Sen. Clements, who introduced the bill to allocate funding for the renovation, said he was approached by a myriad of former state senators calling for the change. "It's something that we all talk to our fourth graders about," said Clements, "There's ample space."

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