Interior Improvement Funding For State Capitol Building Considered

Wyoming lawmakers and administrators are examining ways to make up to $60 million of interior improvements to the Wyoming State Capitol while allowing work to continue during the project. Construction management administrator Rich Cathcart says the building is structurally fine. However, the building needs a fire-suppression system, along with updates to the heating system, electrical wiring, plumbing and air conditioning system. The last major interior update was completed in 1980 at a cost of $7.6 million. Lawmakers are considering building a new $70 million state office building on newly acquired land near the Capitol to accommodate year-round workers. The State Building Commission last month recommended $4.4 million to design the new building. The appropriation will be considered during the 2012 budget session.