Whether the James R. Thompson Center is beautiful or ugly is a matter of opinion. But in the view of state officials, it is a pedestrian hazard and they expect to spend $1 million on a quick fix.



Officials said about 1,000 granite panels weighing 200 to 600 pounds each will be removed because some are in danger of falling. The panels adorn a pedestrian arcade on three sides of the building and are not part of the structure itself.



The Thompson Center is the headquarters for state government in Chicago. The 17-story building opened in 1985.



The Illinois Capital Development Board, which manages construction at state-owned property, said one of the panels, weighing 300 pounds, crashed onto the Clark Street sidewalk about 11:30 a.m. Aug. 27. It caused no injuries.



Agency spokesman David Blanchette said an emergency check revealed other slabs were unstable. He said a few were removed and stainless steel bands were applied in other areas as a brace. Scaffolding has been installed beneath some sections as a precaution.



Blanchette said bids will be sought and the work should begin by the end of October. The $1 million cost estimate applies to the roughly eight-week job, but a permanent solution will involve more money.



"We don't know the final cost will be," Blanchette said. "A lot depends on what we find behind the stone panels." The building, famous for its soaring atrium and glass walls, has had functional problems before. Its air conditioning system didn't work right after the building opened and state workers baked in their offices. Repairs cost around $15 million.



The problem drew negative attention to its architect, Helmut Jahn. The Illinois attorney general sued Jahn's firm for architectural malpractice.



The case was dropped but the controversy may have cost Jahn, an internationally renowned architect, some commissions in his home town.



Blanchette said Jahn will be consulted about the final fix for the granite.



"We have not talked to him, but he has been made aware of the problem," Blanchette said.



The agency said some streets around the building may be temporarily closed as the work progresses. It said plywood and other temporary material will be used to protect exposed parts of the arcade from the elements.