The construction of a brand new Alabama Statehouse has been a topic of much interest and anticipation. With delays and various factors at play, the project is still on track to be ready for the 2027 legislative session. This significant undertaking is being carried out by the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which has extensive experience in building office structures across the state.

CEO's Update on the Project

David Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, provided an update during a meeting of the Employees’ Retirement System Board of Control. He revealed that a portion of the project had to be rebid, resulting in a delay of about four to six months. Originally aiming to complete the construction by 2025, Bronner now expects it to roll over into 2026, with the first four to six months being affected.The early stages of the project came in under budget, including the electrical and mechanical portions. However, Bronner cautioned that unexpected factors could impact the cost. One such factor mentioned was the policy proposal of President-elect Donald Trump - the installation of tariffs, which could have a significant impact on everyone's finances.

Location and Demolition Plans

Currently, the new Statehouse is under construction behind the current building. Once completed, the old building will be demolished and replaced with a park-like area. A parking deck will also be built in a parking lot beside the current Statehouse. This transformation will bring about a significant change to the landscape of the area.Lawmakers once met at the Alabama State Capitol, which also housed the governor's office. But in 1985, they moved into the current building when the Capitol underwent renovations. Since then, legislators have opted not to return to the Capitol even after the renovations were completed.

Approval and Funding Considerations

The Alabama Legislative Council, a 20-member panel consisting of legislative leaders and their appointees, approved the construction of the new Statehouse last year. In 2020, there was a brief discussion about using $200 million of federal pandemic relief funds for the project. However, this idea faced immediate backlash.The Retirement Systems is constructing the new facility for the Alabama Legislature and will lease it back to them. The project is estimated to cost $325 million, and efforts are being made to ensure that it stays within this budget. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the construction team is working hard to bring this new Statehouse to life.