After raising money to complete the restoration of the Capitol courtyards, the Nebraska Association of Former State Legislators has turned its eye to maintaining the features well into the future.
The organization will ask the Office of the Nebraska Capitol Commission next week to accept a $1 million gift to create an endowment to maintain the courtyards when they are finished, former Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege said.
Carlson said the former state senators raised $1 million among themselves as well as people without any ties to state government who felt "keeping the Capitol nice is a worthy expenditure."
"As former legislators, we have a special feeling for that place," he said. "It needs to be something the people of Nebraska are proud of and take great pride in as well."
People are also reading…
If the Capitol Commission accepts the gift at its meeting next Thursday, the former state senators said money from the endowment will be used to cover the costs of work in the gardens, which is estimated to be about $40,000 annually.
It would cover the cost of cutting back roses and perennials in April, applying herbicide and spreading mulch throughout the four courtyards, as well as regular work cleaning up the gardens through the summer months.
The endowed funds also will pay for the planting of 1,096 petunias each May and their removal in October, as well as 4,384 tulip bulbs to be planted in the fall for blooming in the spring, according to an estimate provided to the Capitol Commission.
Carlson said the interest earned from the $1 million gift "should be completely above and beyond what is sufficient" for replanting the gardens each year as well as keeping up on routine maintenance.
Action by the Capitol Commission is needed to accept the gift, the former senators said in a request to the agency.
The restoration of the courtyards was based upon a 1932 design of the state Capitol by University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate Ernst Herminghaus that included flowers and fountains.
The organization of former state lawmakers previously raised $1.4 million to begin restoring the four gardens.
The first courtyard, located in the southwest quadrant of the Capitol, opened earlier this year.
The other three are expected to be completed by 2026, when a heating and air-conditioning project is wrapped up.
Photos: The Nebraska State Capitol through the years
20180518_new-capitol001
The Sower ascends to top of Nebraska State Capitol in April 1930.
20180518_new-capitol002
Workers prepare The Sower for installation. At 19.5 feet tall, The Sower is the tallest human figure sculpted by Lee Lawrie.
20180518_new-capitol003
Terry Lane, dressed as Buffalo Bill Cody, gives a speech to celebrate Nebraska's 150th anniversary of statehood at the State Capitol Rotunda on March 1, 2017, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol004
A detail carved in stone around the doorway in the Nebraska Supreme Court is seen on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln. The same corn detail is used throughout the Capitol building.
20180518_new-capitol005
Dressed in old west lawman attire, Frank Murcek looks at the busts on display at the State Capitol in Lincoln on March 1, 2017. Murcek was there to help celebrate Nebraska's 150th anniversary of statehood.
20180518_new-capitol006
People gather and take their seats before Gov. Pete Ricketts delivers his State of the State address on Jan. 12, 2017, at the State Capitol.
20180518_new-capitol007
Over the bench of the Nebraska Supreme Court is a proposed state seal that was never adopted, done in polychrome on stone.
20180518_new-capitol008
Larry Bare, the longest serving chief of state (to the governor) in the state's history, in his office at the State Capitol in Lincoln on Nov. 20, 2014.
20180518_new-capitol009
A buffalo medalion in the bronze door grills on the north side of the Capitol is seen on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol010
Signs of the zodiac set in a chandelier hanging over the Rotunda, seen on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol011
People tour the north side of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln on May 18, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol012
The Betsy Riot group protests the lack of funding for Planned Parenthood prior to the start of the final day of the Nebraska Legislative session at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln on April 18, 2018.
20180518_new-capitol014
For 10 days, the Nebraska state flag, which is hoisted over the State Capitol's west side when lawmakers are in session, flew upside down. On Feb. 1, 2017, it was back to flying right-side up on the west side of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol015
Gail Brolliar of Lincoln walks past the fountain at Centennial Mall North in Lincoln on July 13, 2016.
20180518_new-capitol016
Power and Mercy from the north side of the Capitol is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol017
Looking down one of the halls of fame at the State Capitol in 2016.
20180518_new-capitol018
In the Capitol's Great Hall, part of the "Four Ages of Man" "Childhood," is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol019
Chairs in the governor's hearing room are seen here on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska. The keeper of the State Capitol is defending the $1,900 per chair cost of renovating historic chairs in the governor's hearing room as cost-effective in the long run. Bob Ripley compared it to the $1,400 cost of chairs for legislative hearing rooms -- chairs that have now lasted 24 years without replacement.
20180518_new-capitol020
An aerial view of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, on Sept. 26, 2009.
20180518_new-capitol021
The State Capitol can be seen from the club level of East Memorial Stadium on Aug. 22, 2013.
20180518_new-capitol022
From the Capitol's Great Hall, "Youth" from the "Four Stages of Man" is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol023
Nebraska Chief Justice Mike Heavican speaks at the State Capitol on Jan. 18, 2018, in Lincoln. Chief Justice Mike Heavican gave his 11th annual State of the Judiciary address to the Legislature.
20180518_new-capitol024
The Abraham Lincoln statue at the west entrance of the State Capitol building is seen here on Feb. 7, 1965, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol025
From the Capitol's Great Hall, "Maturity" from the "Four Stages of Man" is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol026
Tony Ripa sketches in a hallway of the Nebraska Capitol for a University of Nebraska architecture class on March 1, 2017, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol027
Justinian Caesar peeks out from work on the south side of the Capitol is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol028
Senators look on during the Unicameral Legislature at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Thursday, May 18, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol029
Dan Snarr of Stansbury Park, Utah, with Atlas Bronze Casting, and Craig Anderson with Kingery Construction Co., are among the crew members installing a giant bronze bowl part of a fountain in the south west courtyard of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, March 17, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol030
Matt Hansen, left, a preservation architect and project manager with the Office of the Capitol Commission, Dan Snarr, second from left, of Stansbury Park, Utah, with Atlas Bronze Casting, Nebraska Capitol Administrator Robert C. Ripley, second from right, of the Office of the Capitol Commission and Craig Anderson with Kingery Construction Co., look on during the installation of a giant bronze bowl part of a fountain in the south west courtyard of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, Friday, March 17, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol031
The north side of the Capitol with the "Pioneer Panel" above the door with a bronze screen is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol032
The vote tally board with the names of the freshmen senators added. Capitol staffers prepare for the start of the 2017 legislative session at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln on Jan. 3, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol033
From the Capitol's Great Hall, "Old Age" from the "Four Stages of Man" is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol034
A detail of a wolf carved into the fireplace in the old senate lounge is seen here on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol035
At left, the gold leaf design inlaid on walnut planking shines in contrast to the right side yet to be cleaned during restoration of the Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol involving the removal of 80 years worth of water damage and dirt from the ceiling and walls on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol036
A western meadowlark carved in white onyx on the rotunda balcony glows as a beam of sunlight illuminates it from behind on Nov. 17, 2009, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol037
State Sen. John Nelson of District 06 talks in a booth just off the floor of the legislature before the start of the Thursday, April 10, 2014, session at the Nebraska State Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol038
Seated beneath a recently-cleaned portion of shining gold leaf designs, Chris Shelton of the Boston-based restoration company Robert Mussey Associates prepares the walnut beams on the ceiling of the Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol for resurfacing on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska. A restoration project to clean 80 years of water damage and dirt from the walls and ceiling of the chamber is currently under way and aims to be finished before the legislative session begins in January.
20180518_new-capitol039
Exterior of the scaffolding-clad Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, March 29, 2000. Part of an eight-year, $21 million renovation project to the landmark, the capitol has been surrounded with scaffolding for the first time in its history to aid workers. The custom made work platform cost about $1.5 million, according to project architect Michael Rindone. It should be up another three years.
20180518_new-capitol040
Matt Hansen, left, a preservation architect and project manager with the Office of the Capitol Commission, and Craig Anderson and Scott Morrow with Kingery Construction Co., look on during the installation of a giant bronze bowl part of a fountain in the south west courtyard of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol041
People gather in the Nebraska State Capitol's northeast courtyard for the dedication of the Capitol fountains in 2017.
20180518_new-capitol042
Onlookers watch one of the Capitol Fountains turn on the first time during their dedication at the Capitol Building in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sept. 22, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol043
Sydney Carl sketches in the Warner Legislative Chamber for an architecture class at UNL on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The chamber, which normally isn't open, was overlow for the celebration of Nebraska's 150th anniversary of statehood at the State Capitol.
20180518_new-capitol044
The Nebraska State Capitol building's Sower statue is framed by fall leaves on Nov. 6, 2014, in Lincoln.
20180518_new-capitol045
Scaffolding in the Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol spans every area of the walls and ceiling with decking at seven foot intervals during restoration involving the removal of 80 years worth of water damage and dirt from the ceiling and walls on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The chandeliers were lowered, desks boarded up and gallery seats covered for protection during the project.
20180518_new-capitol047
Attendees of the Nebraska State Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing fill the lower and upper levels of the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol as the North Star Choreographed Choir performs. The 65th Annual Nebraska State Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing took place in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Dec. 9, 2012.
20180518_new-capitol050
Busts lining the capitol's hall of fame appear to be watching a group of visitors to the capitol.
20180518_new-capitol052
Chairs in the governor's hearing room are seen here on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska. The keeper of the State Capitol is defending the $1,900 per chair cost of renovating historic chairs in the governor's hearing room as cost-effective in the long run. Bob Ripley compared it to the $1,400 cost of chairs for legislative hearing rooms -- chairs that have now lasted 24 years without replacement.
20180518_new-capitol053
Earlier viewers take their a bird's eye view of the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, before the start of the first legislative session of the year, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol055
The sun shines on the Nebraska State Capitol the day before the legislative session begins in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018.
20180518_new-capitol058
Eric Bright, of Lincoln, enters the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Thursday, May 18, 2017.
20180518_new-capitol046
Nebraska Hall of Fame author and historian Mari Sandoz's bust in a hallway in the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska. The bust is seen here on April 8, 1998.
20180518_new-capitol048
Jacob Mason talks about LB 300 during the Unicameral Youth Legislature in the Warner Legislative Chamber in the Nebraska State Capitol on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol051
The Sower on top of the Nebraska State Capitol building is shown in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, March 25, 2016.
20180518_new-capitol054
Index Clerk Carol Koranda prepares the Unicameral chambers for Wednesday, when the new legislative session starts, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013.
20180518_new-capitol057
A $106 million renovation project will include replacing windows at the State Capitol Building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol059
Tatiana Luepnitz, 11, of Lincoln cools off while playing in the Capitol Fountain at Centennial Mall north of the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, Wednesday, July 13, 2016.
20180518_new-capitol061
A $106 million HVAC renovation project spanning 8 years is underway at Nebraska State Capitol at the State Capitol Building on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
20180518_new-capitol062
Nebraska lawmakers return to the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the opening of the 2012 legislative session on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012.
20180518_new-capitol063
People walk the halls on Feb. 17, 2015 at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS