Delaware’s Legislative Hall may soon look a little different.

Plans to expand and revamp the Statehouse are “moving forward,” beginning with a new parking garage, said Richard Puffer, who chairs the legislative committee overseeing the project.

The $150 million project has raised renewed concerns over the expense and need for the renovations.

Here’s what Delaware needs to know.

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When has Legislative Hall last changed?

Legislative Hall has been Delaware’s state capitol building since 1933.

In addition to House and Senate chambers, the building houses offices belonging to members of the state General Assembly and is home to several committee rooms and the formal office of the state governor. It also has many murals, portraits and exhibits.

Plans to renovate and expand Legislative Hall began in November 2021. The last time Legislative Hall was renovated and expanded was in the 1990s.

There is “a great need” for more meeting and office space, both for employees and the public, said Puffer, who also serves as the chief clerk of the state House of Representatives.

What is included in the project?

A costly part of the project will be the new parking garage.

The current design will include approximately 350 parking spaces, including 240 for public access and 97 for state legislators and employees.

Once the garage is finished, construction will then begin on an underground tunnel connecting the garage to the capitol, Puffer said.

Additional work will include building up to four new large meeting rooms and moving the entrance from the west to the east side of the building across the street from the new parking garage.

How long will this project take?

The budget for the project should be finalized in June 2025, Puffer said.

If all goes smoothly, construction for the garage will begin in July 2025 and conclude by the end of December 2026 – with additional work set to begin in the summer or fall of 2026 and be completed by late 2028.

How much will this project cost?

As of now, roughly $40 million has already been invested into the project, with an additional $10 million from the FY 2025 Bond Bill, which was passed in June.

Puffer also said an additional $110 million has been requested for renovations and expansions.

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Cost of the project questioned

John Flaherty, Delaware Coalition for Open Government board member, recently told the Office of Management and Budget, the project is “self-serving” and does not serve the public.

“How busy is the General Assembly” to warrant such an expensive change, given that the state legislature will convene for nearly 42 days out of the year this upcoming session, Flaherty said.

Other individuals who oppose this project, including Delaware Black Commission founder Jakim Mohammed, also call this a “wasted, taxpayer-funded” expenditure.

Mohammed also feels that attention should instead be focused on pressing issues facing the state, including education, infrastructure and housing.

Former state senator Karen Peterson recalled how parking and meeting space at Legislative Hall had “never been an issue” before, and how these renovations will be “taking money away.”

“We should be funding the needs, not the wants,” Peterson said.

While Puffer said he understands these concerns, he also mentioned how these expansions will help allow people “to participate in the legislative process.”

The Legislative Hall Committee is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m.

For more information on how to attend or tune in virtually, visit the state General Assembly website.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach her at omontes@delawareonline.com.