South Dakota officials say the first wave of repair work at the state Capitol in Pierre is moving forward, but emphasized that the recently approved $3 million allocation is just the start of what will be a major, multi-year restoration effort.
Plaster repairs in the Senate gallery, hallways and key public spaces are scheduled to wrap by January, ahead of the 2026 legislative session. The work addresses water damage, cracking surfaces and aging materials that have steadily worsened over time.
Darin Seeley, commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration, briefed lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, underscoring that the plaster repairs are merely phase one of a broader three-phase plan.
“This is part of a ‘multi-year, multi-phase restoration of this building,’” Seeley explained, noting the urgency of both aesthetic and functional improvements.
The $3 million approved earlier this year covers the first phase. Once those repairs are finished, the second phase will focus on the Rotunda — one of the building’s most iconic architectural spaces. That work is expected to begin after the 2026 session concludes in March and wrap up by November.
The third phase will not involve physical repairs immediately. Instead, Seeley said the state plans to invest approximately $780,000 in a detailed consultant-led needs assessment. The evaluation will map out infrastructure weaknesses across the entire Capitol complex, which includes mechanical systems, safety standards, structural integrity and communications technology.
Seeley stressed the importance of this work, saying there is “a lot of work that needs to be done for two reasons. One, to make the Capitol as beautiful as it can be, but more importantly, to bring it up to modern standards in relationship to electrical codes, plumbing and then usability of the space.”
Committee members had asked Seeley earlier in the year to estimate what a full Capitol restoration might cost. He responded candidly: “We’re talking probably between $150 million and $200 million.”
The South Dakota Capitol, completed in 1910, hasn’t undergone a comprehensive restoration in roughly 40 years. The aging facility now faces a mix of modern infrastructure demands, long-term maintenance challenges and substantial preservation needs, making a phased approach essential.
The building’s age and historic significance add complexity to the restoration. Preserving original architectural features — ornate plasterwork, marble columns, hand-laid tile and stained glass — requires specialized craftsmen and careful coordination with state historic preservation guidelines. Any structural update must balance modern standards with heritage protection, which often increases timelines and costs.
Officials say communications infrastructure is among the most outdated systems, a growing concern as government operations require faster digital connectivity, security upgrades and new technology. Electrical and plumbing systems have also aged past industry standards, and the building’s usability needs — including accessibility, energy efficiency and office configuration — have changed significantly since the last major overhaul.
As lawmakers prepare to return for the 2026 session, the initial repairs will be visible but largely represent only surface-level improvements. The upcoming needs assessment is expected to guide a long-term financial and construction roadmap that could span several years and require substantial legislative investment.
Originally reported by John Hult in South Dakota Search Light.
