Capitol Building Needs $50 million in Renovations - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Capitol Building Needs $50 million in Renovations

From the outside, the State Capitol building looks as good as it ever has. But on the inside the 114-year-old building is in need of multi-million dollar renovations.

No substantial work has been done to the infrastructure of the building since the mid-70's and it's now in need of major upgrades.

"It has some minor ADA issues and various other code issues, along with fire suppression and fire alarms. All of those things come into being that just need to be addressed eventually," Rich Cathcart said.

The work that needs to be done will require ceilings and walls to be removed and then restored. It's a project that would take around two years.

"That is a 103,000 square foot building times $500 a square foot. We're looking at in the $50 million range," Cathcart said.

Rich Cathcart, construction management administrator for the state, says renovations should be dealt with in the next five years. Those that work in the Capitol will need to have another building to work out of while there is construction.

"It's better to just move out of the building, do the renovation and move back in," Cathcart said.

There is the possibility of a new state office building being built on the Pioneer Avenue property that would give those that work there and the Legislature a temporary building to work from.

During the upcoming 2012 budget session, the Legislature will consider a $4.4 million appropriation which would fund the final design work for the building.