Capitol Campus Improvement Projects

DES oversees a variety of projects on the Capitol Campus.

Active Projects

Buildings & Grounds Maintenance Facility
Replace the aged shed and storage container with a central maintenance facility to support the care of the state's Capitol Campus.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Legislative Building Skylight Restoration
Restore the historic skylights above the House and Senate Chambers in the Legislative Building.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

General Administration Building Demolition Study
Study and evaluate the vacant and aging General Administration Building to develop demolition plan including recommended timeline and costs.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Old Capitol Building Roof Replacement
Replace the failing roof and connected infrastructure in the 1982 Old Capitol Building to address ongoing damage from water leaks and install equipment to allow staff to safely maintain the new roof.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project
Remove the 5th Avenue Dam and tide gate to restore 260 acres of estuarine and salt marsh habitat at the mouth of the Deschutes River. Learn more at deschutesestuaryproject.org.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: info@DeschutesEstuaryProject.org

Repair Capitol Way Pedestrian Bridge
Repair and replace deteriorating concrete on the Capitol Way Pedestrian Bridge, addressing imminent public safety risks to drivers, vehicles, and pedestrians.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Critical Campus Heat System Replacement
Develop a plan to replace the century-old Capitol Campus heating and cooling system, including central boilers, Powerhouse, and campus-wide distribution network. This effort will replace the outdated and failing system, improve energy efficiency, and meet state requirements (HB 1390).
Phase: Predesign
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Legislative Campus Modernization (LCM) (Multi-Phased Project)
Replace the Irving R. Newhouse Building, renovate the Joel Pritchard State Library, and renovate the third and fourth floors of the John L. O'Brien Building. The project will address space needs of legislative agencies and critical issues within these buildings.
Phase: Construction
Status: Ongoing
Contact: DESLCM@des.wa.gov

More information:

• Irving R. Newhouse project
• Joel Pritchard State Library project
• LCM Modular Building

Campus Color Initiative
Adding year-round color to the Capitol Campus by planting a mix of perennials, annuals and wildflowers and maintaining state symbol banners.
Phase: Ongoing
Status: Seasonal planting/maintenance underway
Contact: brent.chapman@des.wa.gov

Capitol Campus Energy Meter Installation
Replace energy meters and install equipment to standardize building energy use and efficiency tracking. Part of DES’ work to meet building energy efficiency goals in the Clean Buildings Act.
Phase: Monitoring
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Court Generator
Improving tenant safety by installing a new generator that will provide backup power to the building in the event of a power outage.
Phase: Construction
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Distributed Antenna System (DAS)
Improving public safety and security in the Columbia, Plaza, Natural Resources Building and Transportation parking garages by enhancing cellular networks and making an important step toward improved support for other systems that require cell phone connection such as EV chargers, automated key boxes and mapping.
Phase: Construction
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Elevator Modernization (Multi-Phased Project)
An ongoing program to modernize elevators on the Capitol Campus that is taking place over multiple biennia. Work on different elevators is funded each biennium.

21-23 Biennium: Temple of Justice, Capitol Court, and Isabella Bush ADA Lift
Phase: Construction
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Temple of Justice Systems Renewal: HVAC, Lighting, Plumbing and Security Improvements
Replacement of aging HVAC system, building plumbing system, and lighting and controls throughout the building.
Phase: Construction
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Landslide Repair on Powerhouse Hillside
Repairs and erosion control to the hillside near the Powerhouse will address landslide damage caused by heavy rains and help prevent future damage.
Phase: Design
Status: Underway
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

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Completed projects

Plaza Garage Skylight Tunnel Replacement
Replace the leaking skylight that covers the Plaza Garage/Highway License Building pedestrian tunnel to repair and prevent damage and address safety risks to pedestrians.
Completed: 2024
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Lake Dam Repairs
Repairs and preventative maintenance on the Capitol Lake Dam to address aging infrastructure, equipment, and safety and security concerns.
Completed: 2024
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Campus Facility Condition Assessment
Evaluate major building systems and components of most DES-owned and managed buildings, and Capitol Campus infrastructure including seismic and accessibility assessments. This effort will support data-driven capital budget requests by prioritizing needed maintenance.
Completed: 2024
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Childcare Center
A new childcare center at the corner of Capitol Way South and Maple Park Avenue Southeast will serve state workers and their families, and also enhance the southern gateway to the Capitol Campus.
Completed: 2023
Contact: childcarecenter@des.wa.gov

Campus-Wide Electrical Service Panels Arc Flash Study
Risk assessment of electrical panels throughout the campus and at other DES-managed properties. This study led to new standardized panel labeling, provided safety awareness training for personnel accessing these panels, and identified appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Completed: 2020
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Campus Utility Renewal Plan – 15th Avenue Water Main
New water main was installed along 15th Avenue and Water Street. This waterline connects to the Olympia city water system and increases available fire flow and water pressure in historic buildings.
Completed: 2019
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Capitol Conservatory Demolition
Demolition of the Capitol Conservatory building and related utilities.
Completed: 2021
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Cherberg Building Exterior Repair
Exterior cleaning, minor masonry repair and water leak prevention.
Completed: 2022
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Building Exterior Repairs to Address Water Leaks: Capitol Court
Exterior cleaning and major masonry repairs to the Capitol Court building.
Completed: 2021
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

East Plaza Water Infiltration and Elevator Repairs: Phase 5b (Multi-Phased Project)
Improvement plan that takes place over multiple biennia for repairs to the East Plaza Parking Garage. Work funded 1997-2019 is complete and includes the replacement of the OB2 waterproof membrane, landscaping, and upgrades to the garage and 14th Avenue tunnel.
Completed: 2021
Contact: eastplaza@des.wa.gov

Insurance Building Exterior Preservation
Cleaning and masonry repairs to the Insurance Building's historic sandstone.
Completed: 2021
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Legislative Building Exterior Preservation Cleaning (2019-21 Roof Repairs)
Roof repairs to address many observed water leaks throughout the Legislative Building, including the building’s four mini-domes and fourth-floor roof parapets.
Completed: 2021
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Legislative Building Exterior Preservation Cleaning (2017-19 Dome Cleaning)
Cleaning and masonry repairs to the Legislative Building’s dome and the building’s exterior above the plaza level.
Completed: 2018
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Old Capitol Building Flue Pipe Replacement and Underground Storage Tank Replacement
Removal and replacement of building's flue pipe and underground diesel fuel storage tank.
Completed: 2022
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov

Roof Replacement: Cherberg and Insurance buildings
Roof replacement projects improved roof drainage, removed obsolete heating/ventilation/cooling equipment, replaced some skylights, replaced the roof membrane and added insulation.
Completed: 2018
Contact: DESPPDmail@des.wa.gov