Next week, construction workers will raise the base of the new cupola atop the Babcock Building, followed by the new dome addition. For Clachan Properties , the company renovating the historic mental health facility, this marks the pinnacle of a nine-year process.
A fire in September 2020 destroyed the iconic dome, once a recognizable skyline landmark. Thanks to a heroic and quick response from first responders, the project was able to be salvaged.
The construction to update the cupola, with many original features, began in January with a team of ~50 people from different companies working together on this rare project.
Over the next two weeks, the new dome will arrive in Columbia and the new 58,000-pound structure will be secured back on the building.