In the Sun Shine State on this day in 1977 construction of Florida’s present Capitol was declared completed on this day. The building was opened officially on March 31, 1978, by Governor Reubin O’D. Askew. The cost of the building was $43,070,741. The building has 22 stories above ground and three below. The 22nd floor contains a public viewing platform. Construction of the Capitol required 3,700 tons of structural steel, 2,800 tons of reinforcing steel, 25,000 cubic yards of concrete, 12,000 square feet of walnut paneling, 62,000 square feet of marble, 60,000 square feet of carpet, 92,000 square feet of terrazzo, 14 elevators, 30 miles of telephone wire, and 250 miles of electrical wire.