Nearly $500 Million State Office Building Proposal has Some Lawmakers Up in Arms

(KNSI) — A nearly $500 million renovation project to renovate the Minnesota State Office Building passed through committee despite objections from Republican lawmakers.

The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee adopted a resolution by voice vote. Republicans say they didn’t see the resolution until two hours before the meeting.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt spoke against the proposal calling it too extravagant, and fears it will cost more than what is being proposed. “It’s literally half a billion dollars. And they won’t even commit to capping it at that. We think it’ll likely go over $500 million likely $600 million. That’s twice as much as we spent on the Capitol. And if you do the math, it’s over $3.7 million per member of the House of Representatives. It’s insane.”

Minnesota spent around $310 million on renovations at the state capitol, which was finished in 2017.

The building is where House members and staff have their offices, hold most of their meetings and is home to several other state offices and legislative bodies.

Daudt says some of the proposed work feels unnecessary. “They’re going to gut the inside, remodel the existing building that’s there and build an addition on to it that is about the same square footage as what’s there. So, it’s crazy.”

In 2016, a valve broke between the fourth and fifth floors, flooding the building. Administration officials also say the building is not secure, has ventilation and mold issues, and accessibility issues.

The redesign would reportedly add about 166,000 square feet to the existing 290,000-square-foot structure. Work is expected to begin next summer. The House would likely be displaced during at least one legislative session due to the project.

He says the building could use some upgrades but something different from what is being proposed.

See the proposed plans by clicking here.

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