Watch CBS News

State Capitol Renovation May Mean Changes For 2015 Legislature

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Just a month before the 2015 Minnesota Legislature begins, the Capitol is in chaos.

But it's not because of politics.

The 109-year-old State Capitol building is in the middle of a massive renovation that will mean limited public access during the session.

"There's going to be inconvenience," Wayne Waslaski, the Minnesota Department of Administration official overseeing the $271 million renovation, said.

Among the biggest challenges when the legislature meets in January, says Waslaski, is what to do with all the people.

"Two thirds of the building is within construction zones," he said. "About a third of the building is open. So there's going to be limited room for people to assemble."

Thousands of people visit the Capitol on a typical day during the legislative session, including demonstrators and school children.

Now, every floor of the Capitol is under major renovation. Many corridors are walled off, and there's not much to see.

"Guys tearing apart offices, removing asbestos," Vic Thorstenson, the project manager for the Minnesota Senate, said. "Which is why it is very important for people to stay out."

Shrouded statues line the Capitol Rotunda.

The popular gathering spot is off limits. An 18 story scaffold is about to be erected, and work is beginning to repair interior water damage and to add modern air and electrical systems.

"It's the building infrastructure," Waslaski said. "All the things that are behind the walls that are being replaced."

The Capitol's old covered carriage entrance is now the building's front door.

Most of the inside bathrooms are demolished, so the outdoor accommodations are similar to tailgating events before a football game – a row of outdoor portable bathrooms.

"I hate to call them overflow outhouses, because those are two words you don't want to put together, but that's what they are," Thorstenson said.

Next year, the entire Capitol building will be shut down, and lawmakers will be forced to meet somewhere else.

The newly renovated Capitol will re-open in 2017.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.