The new Alabama Statehouse is on a path to hold its first legislative session in early 2027, despite facing delays. This significant construction project has been met with various complications and setbacks along the way.

CEO's Insights and Budget Control

David Bronner, the CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, shared details at a meeting of the Employees’ Retirement System Board of Control on Tuesday. He mentioned that issues with the bidding process had pushed back the completion of the building by six months. However, he remained optimistic and stated that the new building should be completed by mid-2026. Initially, RSA had planned a single comprehensive contract, but due to limited interest from contractors, they had to start the re-bidding process. This led to the work being divided into multiple packages to attract more bidders, which added months to the overall timeline. Bronner said, "I had a very aggressive schedule. It’s ahead of everybody else’s schedule, but not the personal one of old-David … it’s probably going to run into ‘26 the first couple months. It really depends on how these next bids come in." Despite the challenges, he emphasized that progress is being made and the budget remains under control. He added that uncertainties such as rising material costs and potential economic shifts need to be considered.

Construction Phases and Completion Dates

The timeline for the Alabama Statehouse construction includes the completion of a new parking deck by the end of 2025. While this is an important milestone, the full building is likely to not open until mid-2026. The state will repay RSA the cost of construction along with 8% interest. Barring any unexpected disruptions like severe weather or supply chain challenges, Bronner is confident that construction will stay on track. He said, "Only something totally outside. Hurricane hits Mobile, wipes out Mobile and comes up here and wipes out what we built … not having that ridiculous one-in-a-billion probability, although I have seen it happen before."

Replacing the Existing Statehouse

The current Statehouse, which has been the meeting place of the Alabama Legislature since 1986, faces numerous structural problems. These include mold, flooding, and an estimated $100 million in deferred maintenance. It also lacks a central gallery, and its hallways are often overcrowded. The new building will replace this existing structure and will be operational by January 2027, just in time for that year’s legislative session. Upon completion, the current Statehouse will be demolished and transformed into a green space. According to the approved designs, the new Senate chamber will be 10% larger than the one in the current statehouse, while the House floor will gain approximately 800 square feet of space. This significant increase in space will provide a more comfortable and efficient working environment for the legislators.