Officials say State Office Building addition progressing; phased handovers planned through 2027

Department of Administration and the project owners representative gave the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee a construction update on March 11, 2025, for the State Office Building (SOB) renovation and north addition. Presenters described work underway across four zones, near-term milestones for steel, masonry and window installation, mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in progress, and a project schedule that staggers delivery of the existing-building work and the new addition.

Why this matters: the SOB project is a major state capital construction effort with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) construction contract, multiple phases, and visible work adjacent to the Capitol campus; schedule and cost developments affect state operations and future occupant move-ins.

Progress by zone

Department staff organized the update by construction zone. Eric Bridal, Construction Operations Manager for the Department of Administrations Real Estate and Construction Services division, described the work:

- Zones 1 and 2 (new north addition): Zone 2 crews are installing structural steel and metal decking and pouring concrete slabs through the sixth level; mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-ins are underway and fireproofing of beams is wrapping up. Zone 1 (northernmost addition) will begin steel erection on April 1 and slab-on-grade work is planned to start in July. Masonry on the west side and window and curtain-wall installation are scheduled to start in AprilMay. - Zone 3 (existing building): demolition is complete. Build-back framing and drywall installation are under way on floors 1through 5, with drywall on the fifth floor slated to ramp up in early April; clay tile roof delivery and installation have started; window install on the existing building is slated to begin early April. Basement underpinning and column lowering continue. - Zone 4 (future loading dock): no construction activity has started; no update was provided beyond noting it as a future scope element.

Schedule and budget overview

Joe Stallman, vice president at MOCA Systems and the owners project representative, presented schedule and budget highlights. He summarized the timeline shown to the committee: the existing-building portion (zones 3 and 4) is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026, while the north addition (zones 1 and 2) is scheduled for delivery in summer 2027; the projects target completion date was given as July 2027. On budget, Stallman and Department staff said the construction contract is a GMP (guaranteed maximum price) and that more than 90 percent of major materials had already been allocated, which they said reduces exposure to further price escalation. Owners costs (soft costs), design fees and project management were shown as separate line items in the project budget briefing.

Committee questions and follow-up

Committee members had time for a few clarifying questions about design features and acoustics in the arched entry area. No member pressed for changes to the plan; staff invited members to contact them with follow-up questions after the hearing. Presenters did not request committee action or additional appropriation during this update.

Speakers

- Wayne Wislawski, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Administration (opening remarks) - Eric Bridal, Construction Operations Manager, Real Estate and Construction Services, Department of Administration (site update) - Joe Stallman, Vice President, MOCA Systems (owners project representative; schedule and budget)

Clarifying details

- Key near-term milestones: Zone 1 steel erection beginning April 1; window and curtain-wall installation in zones 1/2 beginning in AprilMay; existing building window install and drywall work slated to intensify in early April. - Schedule: presenters stated zones 3 and 4 delivery by end of 2026 and zones 1 and 2 delivery in summer 2027; stated target project completion in July 2027. - Contract/finance: construction delivered under a GMP; presenters reported more than 90% of materials have been allocated, reducing exposure to price increases.

Process clarity

The update was informational; no formal committee votes or directives were recorded. Staff encouraged members to follow up by email for additional details.

Searchable tags: State Office Building, capital construction, Department of Administration, MOCA Systems, GMP, construction schedule