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BGS describes State House HVAC overhaul and how a possible expansion would affect next steps
Summary
Buildings and General Services told the House Corrections & Institutions Committee that a multi‑phase HVAC overhaul at the State House — driven by a mold problem — is underway with roughly $13 million in work and that a prospective expansion could add roughly $20–24 million and change how remaining ductwork and air handlers are installed.
The House Corrections & Institutions Committee heard an update Wednesday, Jan. 22, from the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) on a multi‑year Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) project at the State House that began after mold was found in vacant rooms.
BGS Director for Design and Construction Joe Asia told the committee the immediate remediation removed mold and replaced carpets and ductwork; the next stage installs a water‑to‑water heat exchanger to capture heat from the building’s chilled‑water return and use it to reheat supplied air. “The chilled water is circulating through the building, cooling the space, and that return water is actually warm. We’re extracting the warmth out of that and getting this air back up,” Asia said.
The update matters because the HVAC work is tied to possible reconfiguration of committee rooms and to any long‑term expansion of the State House. Asia said the current program of work — replacing air handlers and modernizing ductwork on multiple floors — is about a $13,000,000 project and “most of that has been appropriated.” Committee members were told that if the State House is later expanded or a connector is built between sections of the complex, some ductwork and overhead distribution now planned might need to be postponed or redesigned.
BGS described the project as phased: several older air‑handler units already were replaced; additional units feeding committee rooms and the “crow’s nest” near the dome still require work; and the cafeteria and mezzanine areas remain to be addressed. Asia said crews plan to move ductwork overhead in some rooms to reduce vibration and improve airflow, but he cautioned against doing some work in advance if an expansion that changes room layouts is approved.
Committee members asked about expansion costs and constraints. Asia said a floor added above the cafeteria was conceived during the 1980s expansion but modern building codes and current mechanical‑equipment locations on the cafeteria roof mean an above‑cafeteria addition would be more expensive and could cause noise issues for nearby residents. He estimated a building expansion “at least in the $20,000,000 to do an expansion. Yes. 24,000,000 to do an expansion.”
Members also noted a timing constraint: most intrusive work cannot be done while the Legislature is in session. Asia said “whenever there’s work done in the State House, a lot of it… cannot be done while we’re in session. It only can occur once we leave in the middle of May until we come back the 1st week in January,” and that phased work raises costs because of stop/ start sequencing.
The committee asked BGS to continue coordinating the HVAC schedule with decisions about committee‑room layouts and any expansion plans. Mezzanine committee rooms are being finished and are expected to free up downstairs meeting space in February; until the committee decides whether to proceed with an expansion or a connector, BGS said some duct and distribution work will remain on hold.
Next steps: BGS will continue phased installation of new air handlers and the planned heat exchanger, and the committee said it will weigh expansion options during the capital‑budget process in coming weeks.
