Starting Saturday through the first week in December, the Arkansas State Capitol building will be closed to the public on weekends.
Renovations on the first floor and to part of the House chamber pose safety concerns, says Chris Powell, spokesman for the Secretary of State's office. The office oversees the Capitol grounds.
"There is a lot of scaffolding, so we were primarily concerned with the safety of the public," Powell says. "On the weekends we have a lot of visitors and we just wanted to make sure it was going to be safe for people."
The building will remain open for business during the week, but the weekend closures were recommended, according to Powell.
"We are continually reviewing the safety policies around the building. We have not always closed in the past, but the Capitol Police felt it was a necessary step."
Current renovations are expected to be completed by November, with the Capitol to reopen on weekends after annual holiday lighting ceremony, scheduled for December 5.