Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has authorized the city to initiate the design phase of a planned $300 million renovation at the state Capitol. McAuliffe had postponed work on the project back in June 2014, citing other budget needs. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Democratic governor allowed the state to distribute bid requests earlier this month for architectural and engineering designs. Detailed proposals call for a new office building and parking deck for state lawmakers and the renovation of Richmond’s Old City Hall. McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy stated that construction work has not yet been approved. The two-year budget ratified by the assembly and signed by McAuliffe last week without amendment includes funds for many of the governor’s highest priorities (economic development, health care, housing for the homeless) as well as additional bond capacity for the Capitol Square projects.
