urbanMSP

The State Office Building near the capitol has experienced significant damage on the 2nd and 3rd floors due to a break in a water valve. I figured this was worth a mention since a major renovation for the the building has been talked about for some time now. It's been estimated the building already needed $100 million in repairs, which is more than the $90 million that it cost to put up the new Senate Office Building a block away -- a structure that's been a major point of contention between the DFL and Republicans.

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-st ... 385882671/

Assuming they actually need the space and can't get rid of government waste, for comparison purposes how much would it cost to buy a building somewhere else in the downtown area.

That comment would make sense if you were talking about some random state department, admin workers, etc., but the SOB (State Office Building) actually houses the committee hearing rooms and the offices for State Reps and their staffs. The SOB is connected to the Capitol by tunnel. The SOB is absolutely critical to doing the people's work and its functions cannot be replaced by some off-site location. It has to be right where it is.

Assuming they actually need the space and can't get rid of government waste, for comparison purposes how much would it cost to buy a building somewhere else in the downtown area.

Come on. They need the space, as Matt explained. They also needed the new Senate building for the same reasons. The Capitol renovations eliminated Senate office space.

But don't let facts get in the way of your ideology.