Governor Jim Pillen and his closest staff have been kicked out of the Capitol by an ongoing upgrade of the building’s HVAC system.
The 4th phase of the project affects offices on the 1st and 2nd floors. The governor’s offices are on the northeast side of the 2nd floor.
Pillen says he knew he’d eventually have to move and hopes he won’t be out of the Capitol too long because he loves the building’s history and architecture – and being able to point out unique features to guests and visitors.
Pillen, Lt Governor Joe Kelly, and their top staff are moving into the state office building at 1526 K Street, not far from the Capitol.
The Governor’s budget and policy and research offices have also moved, but inside the Capitol – going from the 1st floor to the 11th, 12th, and 13th floors in the Capitol Tower.
There’s no exact timetable for moving back into the Capitol, but Pillen says “the Capitol Commission will be working diligently to return our offices to working order as quickly as possible.”
Capitol Commission acting administrator Brett Dougherty says Phase 4 is scheduled to continue through November of next year.
Dougherty adds that “the objective is to get the work done on that wing as quickly as possible, so the Governor and his staff are not displaced for very long.”