New Statehouse has small construction delays, expected to be finished in 2026
Alabama lawmakers are shown architectural drawings of what a new Alabama Statehouse will look like when it is complete in 2027 during a meeting of the Alabama Legislative Council in Montgomery, Ala. on May 1, 2024. AP Photo/Kim Chandler, File)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Construction on a new Alabama Statehouse has been hit by delays but the new facility is still expected to be ready for the 2027 legislative session.
Al.com reports that Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner said the a portion of the project had to be rebid, causing a delay of about four to six months.
“My goal originally was I was going to be done in ’25,” Bronner said. “But now it’s going to roll over into 2026, probably the first four to six months,” Bronner said.
The Retirement Systems, which has built multiple office buildings inside and outside of Alabama, is constructing the new facility for the Alabama Legislature. The new Statehouse will be leased back to the Alabama Legislature.
Bronner gave an update on the project during a meeting of the Employees’ Retirement System Board of Control.
Bronner said the project is on track to stay within the $325 million cost estimate. He said the early stages of the project came in under budget, including the electrical and mechanical portions. But Bronner cautioned there could be unexpected factors that affect the cost and mentioned one of the policy proposals of President-elect Donald Trump, al.com reported.
“A lot of crazy things can happen,” Bronner said. “Like, for example, my buddy Mr. Trump, that I’ve known for 30 years, installing tariffs. Which will put a zinger in everybody’s pocket.”
The new Statehouse is currently under construction behind the current building. The old building will be demolished and replaced with a park-like area. A parking deck will be built in a parking lot beside the current Statehouse.
Lawmakers once met at the Alabama State Capitol, which also houses the governor’s office. But they moved into the current building in 1985 when the Capitol underwent renovations. Legislators opted not to return to the Capitol when the renovations were complete.
The Alabama Legislative Council, a 20-member panel comprised of legislative leaders and their appointees, approved the construction of the new Statehouse last year.
In 2020, lawmakers briefly discussed the possibility of using $200 million of federal pandemic relief funds for a new statehouse, but the idea drew immediate backlash.