Campus Projects

We are constantly working to maintain and improve Capitol Campus and all that it encompasses. From small repairs to major restorations, DES oversees a variety of campus projects.

Legislative Campus Modernization

Legislative Campus Modernization (LCM) is a series of sub-projects on the Capitol Campus. The replacement of the Irv Newhouse Building, rehabilitation and expansion of the Joel Pritchard State Library, and remodel of the third and fourth floors of the John L. O’Brien Building will address space needs of legislative agencies and critical health and safety issues within these buildings. 

Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project

DES is leading a monumental project to restore the artificial Capitol Lake to its historic estuary setting. The project will remove the 5th Avenue Dam, which will reconnect the entire Deschutes waterway to the Salish Sea. The restored estuary will improve water quality, conditions for native wildlife, and much more. It will also allow recreational fishing and some water access to return. This is one of the largest estuary restoration projects in an urban area in the country.

Campus Color Initiative

Seasonal planting and maintenance work continues on campus to improve the campus "curb appeal," as well as the pollinator habitat, with a mix of perennials, annuals and wildflowers that bring color to both East and West Campus and Parks. Flower beds are annually updated with intricate flower designs – including layering different types of plants – and transplanting plants from the West to the East Campus and Parks. Transplanting keeps flowerbeds from becoming overgrown, and also allows DES to save plants in construction areas. 

Legislative Building Skylight Restoration

In the 1970s, the skylights above the House and Senate chambers in the Legislative Building were covered and electric ceiling lights were installed to meet new building code requirements and address safety and acoustic concerns. While this modernized the systems, it changed the historic look and feel of lighting in the building. The skylight restoration project will uncover the skylights and reintroduce the historic design of natural daylight diffused through a bronze grill, called a laylight. Recent advances in technology that did not exist in the 1970s such as laminated glass allow us to meet building codes, acoustic needs, and safety standards while restoring the beloved “amber glow” of natural daylight that was a focal point of the chambers’ original design. 

Other Projects

Visit DES Capitol Campus Construction Projects to see more projects in process, as well as completed projects.