State Legislative Building Gets Makeover

The six-floor, 180,000-square-foot building is 23 years old. Workers are renovating it from top to bottom, floor to ceiling. Meanwhile, many of the 400 people who work there have to be moved around.

"Well, it was a big deal because we had to box up the whole office, which was considerable," legislative assistant Lorraine Blake said.

"We're trying to minimize the amount of time someone will be out of their office," said Tony Goldman, of Administrative Services.

Crews are working on two floors at a time and dividing the floors into thirds. Right now, for example, they are working on a third of the sixth floor and a third of the fourth floor. Much of the staff that worked in those thirds have been moved to the third floor. In two weeks, they will move back.

"Hopefully, it'll look pretty much like the old office except everything will be nice and fresh and clean," Blake said.

"We'll be painting the wall and replacing the carpet on the floors," Goldman said.

Crews will also be upgrading the air conditioning and elevators. All the renovations must be finished by January before the next General Assembly session.