Renovation work at the Kentucky State Capitol building's second phase is ready for kickoff
Renovation of Kentucky's State Capitol Encountering Challenges
The State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, is currently undergoing a significant renovation project, with the Capitol building closing for renovations as early as mid-2025. Temporary chambers have been erected for the House and Senate chambers during the Capitol project to maintain government operations while the main building is under construction [5].
The renovation project includes both the State Capitol and the Capitol Annex Building. The first phase of the renovation was completed, and the second phase, for which $260 million in bond funds were appropriated in 2022, is about to begin [5]. However, the exact timeline, overall budget, and completion status of the project are not currently available [5].
The Capitol Dome project is encountering issues with the availability of specific materials and the expertise required to meet historic regulations. The structure of the Capitol dome is being completely rebuilt, including replacing 80-year-old terracotta tiles, installing waterproofing, making structural repairs, and removing algae and other organic materials [5]. Only one group in the world can perform the required tiles work for the Capitol Dome, and many materials are on backorder [5].
Governor Andy Beshear has expressed concerns that the renovation project may take longer than the original estimate and be more expensive [5]. The historic building rules and regulations will be strictly applied during the Capitol renovation [5].
Unexpected issues have also arisen during the renovation of the historic building next to the Old Capitol, which was built in 1830 [5]. Legislative leadership is aware of the issues being faced in the Capitol renovation project [5].
Upon completion of the dome renovation, upgrades inside the Capitol will begin. The renovation of the Capitol building is expected to be completed by Fall 2028 [5]. However, due to the challenges faced during the renovation, this timeline may not be met.
The Capitol Campus Renovation is a long-planned effort, involving multiple years of preparation leading up to the 2025 closure for renovations [5]. Additional or updated official sources would be needed to provide a comprehensive timeline, budget, and project status update.
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The State Capitol renovation in Kentucky might exceed its original timeline and budget due to challenges with obtaining specific materials and expertise for the Capitol Dome project. The Capitol's finance sector is actively monitoring the progress and potential costs of the renovation, considering its impact on the state's business and industry, including the arts sector.
