Kentucky State Capitol closed to the public for $291 million renovation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's State Capitol in Frankfort is closed to the public for a major renovation.

In a news release this week, Gov. Andy Beshear's office said the construction phase of the $291.5 million Capitol Renovation Project started Aug. 20. It's the first overhaul of the historic building in more than 70 years.

The Kentucky General Assembly is funding the renovation to "modernize infrastructure, address decades of deferred maintenance, enhance accessibility, improve safety, and revitalize public and staff spaces to ensure the Capitol continues to serve Kentuckians for generations to come."

Work by Messer Construction over the next few years will repair structural cracks to the masonry by Structural Systems Repair Group. It will help preserve the facade with cleaning, tuckpointing, stone repairs, and select stone replacement on the 115-year-old building.

Kentucky lawmakers moved out of the Capitol in June to make way for the project.

The first phase of the renovations began in 2022 with work on the iconic dome. Scaffolding went up as the terra cotta tiles on the dome were replaced, and crews installed waterproofing and made structural and cosmetic repairs.

The project and renovation will add 50 years to the life of the building.

During the project, some offices and agencies have relocated including the Governor's Office and the Kentucky Supreme Court:

Office of Governor Andy Beshear

501 High St., 2nd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40602
502-564-2611

Governor’s Office of Constituent Services

500 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40601 (Physical Address)
502-564-2611
501 High St., 2nd Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 (Mailing Address)

Office of Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman

700 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-2611

Legislative Research Commission

700 Capitol Avenue Loop, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-8100

Kentucky Supreme Court/State Law Library

669 Chamberlain Ave., Suite B, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-595-3007

Secretary of State’s Office

1025 Capital Center Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3490

Attorney General’s Office

1024 Capital Center Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-696-5300

The Capitol Education Center is also being renovated. The updated facility is expected to be available for use by mid-September 2025.

Public Use of Capitol Grounds

Parts of the Capitol Grounds will be closed to visitors during the renovation for safety reasons, but other areas will remain open including the Floral Clock, the flower beds and green space on Capitol Avenue, the Kentucky COVID 19 Memorial, and the Gold Star Families Monument.

EOP Architects is the lead architect for the design team. Messer Construction is the construction manager.

The design team is providing an archeologist for on-site monitoring of excavation in conjunction the Kentucky Heritage Council, should any historic artifacts be discovered during the excavation.

Relocation information will remain posted at capitolmove.ky.gov.

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