Delaware’s Legislative Hall may soon look a little different.
Plans to expand and renovate the Statehouse are “moving forward,” starting with a new parking garage, said Richard Puffer, chairman of the legislative committee overseeing the project.
The $150 million project has raised renewed concerns about the cost and necessity of the renovations.
Here’s what Delaware needs to know.
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When was the last time the Legislative Hall changed?
Legislative Hall has been Delaware’s state capitol building since 1933.
In addition to the House and Senate chambers, the building houses offices of members of the state General Assembly, as well as several committee rooms and the formal office of the state governor. It also has many murals, portraits and exhibitions.
Plans to renovate and expand Legislative Hall began in November 2021. The last time Legislative Hall was renovated and expanded was in the 1990s.
There is “a great need” for more meeting and office space, both for employees and the public, said Puffer, who is also clerk of the House of Representatives.
What is included in the project?
The new parking garage will be a valuable part of the project.
The current design includes approximately 350 parking spaces, with 240 for public access and 97 for state legislators and employees.
Once the garage is complete, construction will begin on an underground tunnel connecting the garage to the capital, Puffer said.
Additional work includes the construction of up to four new large meeting rooms and moving the entrance from the west to the east side of the building across the street from the new parking garage.
Legislative Hall in Dover
How long will this project take?
The budget for the project should be finalized by June 2025, Puffer said.
If all goes smoothly, construction of the garage will begin in July 2025 and be completed by the end of December 2026. The additional work will begin in the summer or fall of 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028.
How much will this project cost?
Currently, roughly $40 million has already been invested in the project, with another $10 million coming from the FY 2025 Bond Bill, which passed in June.
Puffer also said another $110 million has been requested for renovations and expansions.
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Cost of the project questioned
John Flaherty, a board member of the Delaware Coalition for Open Government, recently told the Office of Management and Budget that the project is “self-serving” and does not serve the public.
“How busy is the General Assembly” to justify such a costly change, given that the state Legislature will meet nearly 42 days a year this coming session, Flaherty said.
Other individuals opposed to this project, including Delaware Black Commission founder Jakim Mohammed, also call it a “wasted, taxpayer-funded” expenditure.
Mohammed also believes that attention should instead be focused on pressing issues facing the state, including education, infrastructure and housing.
Former Senator Karen Peterson recalled how parking and meeting space at Legislative Hall had “never been an issue before,” and how these renovations will “take money away.”
“We should fund needs, not wants,” Peterson said.
While Puffer said he understands these concerns, he also mentioned how these expansions will help people “participate in the legislative process.”
The Legislative Hall Committee will hold its next meeting on December 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Visit the state General Assembly website for more information on how to attend or tune in virtually.
Olivia Montes covers the impact of state government and the community for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared in Delaware News Journal: Plans to renovate and expand Delaware Legislative Hall move forward
