Ground could be broken as early as next month on a project aimed at addressing the chronic parking shortage around Legislative Hall in Dover.
Earlier this week, the Legislative Building Committee received an update on the $23 million initiative. If construction begins on schedule, the multi-story garage — to be built on land southeast of Legislative Hall — is expected to be completed by Labor Day 2027.
The new facility will add 345 parking spaces, including 247 designated for public use.
As Delaware’s population continues to grow, so has visitation to Legislative Hall. According to the Capitol Police, 26,385 people visited the State Capitol Building between January 1 and June 30 last year, an increase of 2,762 visits compared to the same period the previous year.
Mark J. Cutrona, Director of the Division of Legislative Services, noted a common misconception about the project.
“This facility is not just about serving Legislative Hall for the 45 days we’re in session,” he said. “The garage will provide needed parking for every state and private building in the area of Legislative Mall, year-round, in addition to supporting rallies, festivals, and other public events held on the Mall.”
He added that the project aligns with the City of Dover’s long-term economic development plan. “The city has designated the Capitol Complex as a gateway,” Cutrona said. “This structure will help support that vision.”
No new funding is required for the garage. The project was authorized in earlier state capital budgets, with funding carried forward into the current Bond Bill. A proposed pedestrian tunnel connecting the garage to Legislative Hall will not be part of this construction.
Legislative Hall Expansion — Design Work Resumes
Also this week, the Legislative Building Committee voted to resume design work for a potential future expansion of Legislative Hall.
Originally constructed during the Great Depression, the building has undergone an expansion roughly every three decades. The last major capital project involving the facility was completed in the early 1990s.
“The design work is about 60 percent complete,” Cutrona said. “After shelving the project last year, the committee has approved finishing it. The design phase will likely conclude by the end of this year.”
The proposed renovation would significantly expand public space to accommodate the growing number of citizens participating in the legislative process. It would also address public safety concerns by adding a secure entrance, allowing Capitol Police to screen visitors before granting them full access to the building.
Completing the remaining design work does not commit lawmakers to construction or a specific timeline. The governor’s proposed Bond Bill for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, does not include funding for a Legislative Hall expansion.
More information about projects associated with Legislative Hall is available on the Legislative Building Committee’s webpage. All committee meetings are open to the public and may be attended in person or virtually. All meeting agendas and materials reviewed by the group are publicly accessible online.
