An expansive transformation is underway at the Texas state capitol in Austin. Under the guidance of the Texas Facilities Commission, construction is progressing on the Capitol Complex Project—a nearly $900 million effort that will create a destination that celebrates the capitol and centralize all state agencies. For this effort, ENR Texas & Louisiana has named the Texas Facilities Commission as its 2020 Owner of the Year.

A legislative mandate required the agency to eliminate extensive reliance on commercial lease space and consolidate widely dispersed state agencies. So, under the scope of the 2016 Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan, The Capitol Complex Project will reduce annual rent obligations, create more predictable and controllable operating costs, and improve operational efficiencies for the state.

Construction is underway on Phase 1 of the project, which totals $581 million alone. Master architect/engineer Page and a construction manager agent Balfour Beatty Construction are overseeing the effort on behalf of TFC. 

Phase I is broken down into the following four projects. Work has started on each of the projects over the past two years.

Work started with construction of the $71 million Central Utility Plant in August 2018, followed by the $265 million George HW Bush State Office Building in May 2019, and then the $142.7 million 601 Congress State Office Building in November. Construction began on the $101 million North Congress (“Texas”) Pedestrian Mall in January. Completion of the CUP is expected in 2021, and the other three projects scheduled in 2022.

Meanwhile, Phase II spending will total $313.9 million and include two projects: 1500 Congress State Office Building and 1501 Lavaca State Office Building, both of which are scheduled for completion in 2025.

Across the state, TFC currently has 31 projects under construction with a total project cost of $889.9 million, along with 24 projects in the planning and design phase, with a total project cost of $207.2 million.

For more on the Texas Facilities Commission and the Capitol Complex Project, check out the April 6 issue of ENR Texas & Louisiana!