Panel approves plans to move Tenn. legislative offices
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The State Building Commission has approved the first step to make an overhauled building next to the state Capitol the new home of the Tennessee General Assembly.
The panel that includes Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville and fellow Republican House Speaker Beth of Nashville on Wednesday without debate approved expanding the scope of a $136 million Capitol complex project that includes the overhaul of the Cordell Hull building that was until recently designated for demolition.
Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration last year reversed course on razing the building, and has earmarked $74 million to renovate it.
Lawmakers later decided the building would make a good replacement for the underground Legislative Plaza. The costs of the move and upgrades to fit the Legislature’s needs are estimated at $44 million.
