The Newhouse Building was built as a temporary structure in 1934. It is beyond its useful life, its structural systems do not meet code, it has significant health and life safety hazards and it needs to be replaced.

Issues and deficiencies with the building are further detailed in the 2017 State Capitol Development Study and the Legislative Campus Modernization (LCM) Predesign Study. Needs with the Newhouse Building will be addressed as part of LCM.

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Latest updates

We will soon be entering the demolition phase of the project. The existing Newhouse Building is expected to be demolished in May 2023. For the latest information on the Newhouse Replacement Project, see the most recent LCM Weekly Update.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) is temporarily closing the Pedestrian Bridge that connects the East and West Capitol Campus for safety during construction of the Newhouse Replacement Building that is part of Legislative Campus Modernization (LCM).

Scope and Impact

Where: Pedestrian Bride over Capitol Way between 14th and 15th Avenue.

When: May 15, 2023
We anticipate reopening the bridge in time for the 2025 legislative session.

Alternate Routes:

• Pedestrians and cyclists should follow signs on campus that indicate alternative routes for crossing Capitol Way.
• Crosswalk near the State Archives Building and the Tivoli Fountain.

LCM public meetings

Find information about upcoming LCM public meetings and presentations and notes from past meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the schedule of the Newhouse Replacement Building project?

Design

• Design Development phase is complete.
• Request for building permits submitted to City of Olympia on Dec. 23, 2022.
• Construction Document phase expected to be complete by early March 2023.

Demolition

• Demolition of the Press House structures, Visitor Center parking area and existing Newhouse building is expected to begin in the spring of 2023.

Construction

• New building construction is scheduled to begin in the early summer of 2023 with an anticipated substantial completion date of November 2024.

Why do the Press House structures, Visitor Center and Visitor Center parking area need to be removed for this project?

These structures have to be removed before Newhouse construction work can occur. The buildings are included in the larger site known as Opportunity Site 6, which was identified in the 2006 Master Plan for the Capitol of the State of Washington as an area for future development opportunities for state government facilities. The requirement is included in Section 1111 of the 2021 Capital Budget, SHB 1080.SL.

Who is working on this project?

DES is providing contract and project management services for the project. A Project Management Team (PMT) comprised of DES, Office of Financial Management (OFM) and legislative staff provides operational oversight to the project and coordination with other LCM subprojects. A Project Executive Team (PET) comprised of the chairs and minority leaders of the capital budget committees, and House and Senate administration will make decisions relating to the project’s scope, schedule and budget.

Miller Hull Partnership of Seattle is leading design work for the Newhouse Replacement Building.

Hoffman Construction Company of Washington is under contract to perform General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) services.

Why is this project using the General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) procedure?

The project meets the criteria established in RCW 39.10.340 for use of the GC/CM procedure – a method used to accelerate project delivery in which a contractor is hired before the start of construction and provides feedback during the design phase.

In this procedure, the contractor acts as a consultant in the design process and can offer ideas, best practices and ways to reduce costs and schedule risks as a result of the contractor’s work experience.

What will the GC/CM do?

During the design phase of the project, the GC/CM will advise on:

• Coordination of contract documents
• Input into procedures and specifications
• Detailed cost estimates
• Value analysis and life cycle cost design considerations
• Constructability analysis of design documents prior to solicitation of subcontract bid packages
• Detailed construction scheduling
• Development of bid packages
• Sequencing of work and construction logistics planning
• Investigation of existing conditions

Having the contractor involved during the design phase of this project is important because it involves complex scheduling, phasing, and coordination.