The California State Capitol’s West Side, described as California’s “Doorway to Democracy” is threatened. A proposed, partially underground Visitor Center on the west side of the 1860s Capitol will adversely impact the historic west side of the Capitol and the surrounding park, despite legal challenges, public sentiment opposing the proposed construction, and a Constitutional Amendment protecting the view of the capitol authored by the late Senator Jim Mills, a San Diego champion of preservation. Despite this, the proposal is nonetheless included in a recently certified environmental impact report.