TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas state leaders officially opened the newly constructed Robert B. Docking State Office Building on Thursday, marking the end of a long and often debated redevelopment process. The event capped a three-year, nearly $120 million construction effort to modernize the state government complex next to the Capitol.
After more than a decade of planning, public hearings, and disputes over preservation of the original 1950s tower, officials celebrated what they described as a major step forward in accessibility, sustainability, and service to Kansans.
“The opening of the new Docking State Office Building represents what we can accomplish when we work together to reimagine something from the past to meet the needs of today and the future,” said Gov. Laura Kelly in a statement.
The original 14-story structure, built in 1954, had suffered from outdated systems and costly maintenance issues. Although some argued for a revitalization of the historic tower, lawmakers ultimately agreed to its replacement with a streamlined three-story building designed to better serve the public.
Despite starting fresh, the state emphasized honoring history and sustainability. According to a state construction tracker, the project reused an extraordinary amount of original materials, including more than 50,000 square feet of limestone, sections of granite and greenstone, and many architectural features that reflect Kansas heritage.
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“One of the goals for the new Docking Building was to create one of the most efficient, modern, and beautiful buildings in the country, and for this facility to be a ‘front door’ to the state government for visitors to the capitol,” said Kansas Department of Administration Secretary Adam Proffitt.
The new building is expected to improve public access to state services, streamline department operations, and reduce long-term costs through energy-efficient systems and high-performance design.
Recognition for the redevelopment is already coming in. Last week, Deputy Secretary Frank Burnam received a national innovation award for his oversight of the project.
“With 98% of the materials of the old building incorporated into the body of the new building, Kansas has integrated continuity and environmental efficiency into the Docking State Office Building,” said Brian Docking, grandson of Gov. Robert Docking. “Today I represent my great grandparents, my grandparents, and my father and uncle and the future of our family to say we are humbled by this honor.”
The total project cost came to just under $140 million. Of that, $60 million was approved from the state’s general fund, with the rest supported through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds, according to Steven Wu, senior fiscal analyst with the Kansas Legislative Research Department.
City and state officials say the building will serve thousands of Kansans each year — and, symbolically, ushers in a new era of state government modernization in Topeka.
Originally reported by Morgan Chilson in Kansas Reflector.
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