Montgomery’s new $400M Alabama State House: Why it matters + what you need to know

Montgomery is taking a significant step in its democratic history with the construction of Alabama’s new State House.

For nearly four decades, lawmakers have worked out of the current building—a space never intended to be permanent—while maintenance problems steadily piled up.

“That assessment showed us that we were about $70 million behind in deferred maintenance on this building.”

Othni Lathram, Director of the Legislative Services Agency

The new State House is being built under the management of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, with a budget of about $400 million. Construction remains on track, with plans for legislators to move in ahead of the organizational session in January 2027.

Here’s a look at where the project stands and what’s coming next:

• 🛠 Deferred Maintenance: The new building addresses roughly $70 million in repairs that the current State House couldn’t handle.
• 📈 On Track, Slightly Under Budget: Groundbreaking started in September 2023, and construction is moving along on schedule, slightly under the planned budget.
• 🅿️ Parking Improvements: A new deck is being built with 100 visitor spaces, solving long-standing access challenges.
• 🏛 Public Access Upgrades: The current building has only one usable public committee room. The new State House will include five large committee rooms and six smaller ones, giving citizens and school groups far better access.
• ♿ Universal Design: Fully ADA-compliant, the building addresses mobility limitations that the old State House couldn’t accommodate.
• 🧱 Built to Last: “A building that wasn’t just a temporary home … but would stand the test of time,” Lathram said, reflecting the goal of creating a facility that can serve generations.

Why the new State House matters goes beyond construction or cost.

As Lathram put it, the current building was never designed to be permanent—and definitely not for the kind of public participation that’s expected today. “The building we’re in now was never designed for the public to participate in the way they deserve,” he said.

The new facility is meant to change that by making government more accessible, safer, and better suited for the work it’s meant to support.

If construction stays on track, lawmakers will move in ahead of the 2027 session. And ideally, as Lathram put it, this will be “a building that never needs replacing in our lifetimes.”

As the construction moves forward and the new chambers start to take shape, this project isn’t just about building a new structure—it’s about creating something that lasts.

The reason this matters is clear: a State House is supposed to serve the people.

When the doors to Alabama’s new State House open, it won’t just mark progress. It will be a place where every voice—every citizen—has a chance to be heard. And in the years to come, it will stand as a reminder of how democracy works best when we all have a seat at the table.

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