ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton says finishing the restoration of Minnesota’s Capitol is a top priority for state construction projects in the coming two years.

The Democratic governor told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he will seek $209 million for work on the aging 107-year-old Capitol in a bonding bill.

Dayton said the money could come in two chunks or all at once, but it’s needed to keep the restoration project going. Without the money, Dayton said the project would “grind to a halt.”

The state’s economic forecast, released this week, said the state has the capacity to borrow $1.3 billion for construction projects over the next two years.

The Republican-controlled Legislature approved a $500 million construction package last year, including $44 million for the Capitol.

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