Status of the Docking State Office Building

This article details recent actions and proposals regarding the Docking State Office Building (Docking Building), located at 915 SW Harrison Street in Topeka. Built in 1954, the building provided office and meeting space for state employees. Underneath the structure is an energy center that services buildings in the Capitol Complex. Beginning in 2004, the Department of Administration began vacating the building, and it currently stands mostly empty.

Background and Legislative History

In 2019, the Legislature directed the Department of Administration to develop plans for the building. After a competitive bidding process, the Department contracted with Clark-Huesemann, a Lawrence-based architectural firm, to develop potential solutions.

In 2020, the Department submitted two options for the building, one to utilize the entire building (Option A) and the other to utilize three floors while adding three new floors (Option B). Both proposals would keep the existing energy center.

In 2021, the Legislature authorized the Department to issue up to $120.0 million in bonds for the renovation of the Docking Building. Prior to proceeding, the State Finance Council must approve capital improvement projects for both the Docking Building and a Kansas Department of Health and Environment laboratory in a single resolution.

Docking State Office Building Option A: Utilize and Renovate Entire Building
Gross Square Footage	532,592
Net Square Footage:
Capitol Police	6,940
Grab & Go Food Venue	1,187
State Agency	268,948
Training and Meeting Space	20,758
Total	297,833
Project Costs*
Total Construction Cost	$96,903,989
Estimated Owner Costs	$30,355,716
Total	$127,259,705
Cost Per Square Foot	$182
*Revised estimates provided September 7, 2021.

Option A: Utilize Entire Building

Option A would reuse and rehabilitate all 14 floors of the building and include an event center on the first floor, food venue, exhibition space, shared conference space, Capitol Police offices, and 268,948 square feet for state agencies for a total project cost of $127.3 million, with a construction completion date of April 2024.
Option B: Utilize Three Floors and Add Three Floors

Option B would remove the upper 11 floors of the building, reuse the lower three floors, and add three floors for a total of 6 floors. This option would include an event center on the top floor, food venue, exhibition space, Capitol Police offices, and 188,527 square feet for state agencies for a total project cost of $112.6 million, with a construction completion date of April 2025.

Challenges and Opportunities

During the 2021 Interim, the Secretary of Administration provided the Joint Committee on State Building Construction (Committee) with revised cost estimates, noting an increase in construction costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary also estimated that up to 50.0 percent of total project costs may be eligible for moneys from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. However, eligibility for such funds would depend on the approved use of the building and, if disbursed, must be encumbered by December 2024 and expended by December 2026.

The Secretary indicated that, despite the increase in estimated costs, renovation of the Docking Building is key to the State’s return-to-work strategy, as both proposed options would facilitate social distancing, allow temporary housing of state agencies while public health modifications are made to other buildings, and provide enhanced virtual and teleworking capabilities. Furthermore, both options would provide additional space allowing state agencies to maximize services and provide event space for large meetings, which does not currently exist in the Capitol Complex.

Docking State Office Building Option B: Use Three Floors, Add Three Floors
Gross Square Footage	364,038
Net Square Footage
Capitol Police	6,940
Grab & Go Food Venue	1,187
State Agency	188,527
Training and Meeting Space	20,758
Total	217,412
Project Costs*
Total Construction Cost	$86,208,212
Estimated Owner Costs	$26,423,365
Total	$112,631,577
Cost Per Square Foot	$237
*Revised estimates provided September 7, 2021.

Recent Legislative Action

On October 11, the Committee met to make a recommendation on the Docking Building. In addition to the two proposed options, committee discussion topics included the full demolition of the building and reconstruction of the energy center. Such demolition would first require construction of a new energy center to maintain continuity of services to the Capitol Complex, which could prolong efforts and impact availability of federal relief funds. Further, the Committee discussed an option for full renovation that would utilize only six floors, leaving remaining floors as a shell for future potential use.

The Committee ultimately recommended renovation or construction of a three-story event center at the site of the Docking Building.

On December 17, the State Finance Council approved a plan to remove the upper 11 floors of the Docking Building and renovate the remaining three floors.