Legislative Building Committee votes to resume planning for Legislative Hall addition; cost estimate ~ $96M–$98M
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Summary
After a motion to restart planning, the committee voted (15 yes, 1 not voting, 1 absent) to resume the Legislative Hall addition project. Studio Jade reported documents are 60% complete with a February 2025 cost estimate of about $96,000,000 and recommended a July 2027 groundbreaking and a January 2030 completion to avoid a full-year delay.
The Legislative Building Committee voted to resume planning for the East-side addition to Legislative Hall after a motion to restart design and planning was moved and seconded and approved by roll call (15 yes, one not voting, one absent). Chair Rich Puffer told the committee that Legislative Council had asked the committee to resume its efforts and that the chair and vice chair would report back to Legislative Council on Feb. 20 regarding committee actions.
Studio Jade project lead Phil Contre briefed the committee on the addition's status, reporting the design documents are 60% complete but were placed on hold. "In February 2025, we had a project cost estimate of approximately 96,000,000," Contre said, explaining that the figure is a project cost estimate that includes direct construction for the addition, the renovation, the tunnel, indirect and soft costs such as owner costs and furniture, fixtures and equipment, contingencies and escalation. Contre recommended allowing for a 3'5% escalation buffer depending on restart timing, which would put the total near $98,000,000.
Contre described the plan: the addition is planned on the circle (west) side of Legislative Hall with new public meeting rooms, an expanded secure entrance worked through with Capitol Police, and a basement area to receive a future tunnel. He said the garage is being constructed to receive the tunnel when the addition proceeds.
On schedule, Contre recommended beginning work in months of July to limit disruption to legislative operations. Under that timeline he showed, a July 2027 groundbreaking would allow a ribbon cutting in January 2030 when legislators return and furniture has been reinstalled. He warned that the design team could absorb about a two-month delay, but that delays beyond that would likely shift the schedule a full year unless the legislature vacates large portions of the building.
A roll-call vote on the motion to resume planning recorded 15 yes votes, one not voting (Miss Lewis) and one absent (Miss Miller); the motion passed. The committee directed that the chair and vice chair update Legislative Council and continue coordination with DFM and other stakeholders.
No public comments were offered at the meeting. The committee adjourned after agreeing to provide further updates and to participate in coordinating planning meetings for the garage and the addition.