Two significant construction projects near the Kansas Statehouse are nearing completion, with state agencies expected to move in soon.

The Kansas Health and Environment Laboratory, located at the corner of S.W. Topeka Boulevard and Huntoon Street, has completed construction. However, it is still in the process of being furnished and staffed. The lab is slated to house about 85 employees who will conduct around 1 million clinical and environmental tests annually, working with the Division of Public Health and the Division of Environment. The facility will handle public water supply testing, newborn screenings, and emergency disease outbreak responses.

Samir Arif, chief of staff at the Kansas Department of Administration, explained, “It will take a couple of months to complete that process.” The lab is expected to be fully operational soon. Gov. Laura Kelly approved funding for the project in December 2021, with a funding split between the American Rescue Plan Act and the state’s general fund. The project is on track and on schedule.

Secretary of Administration Adam Proffitt noted, “This project and the Docking building project will have an enormous impact on the community of Topeka, downtown businesses, and all Kansans, who will be better served by this state-of-the-art biomedical lab.”

Meanwhile, the Docking State Office Building is also nearing completion. Arif expects construction to wrap up in June, with the building open to the public by September. The three-story building will accommodate several government agencies, including the Secretary of State, Department of Commerce, Office of Personnel Services, and Division of Budget. The building will also feature exhibits on Kansas history and conference spaces for large meetings.

Arif added, “There are not many places in the Capitol complex that you could have more than about 100 people at a time. This would be great for agencies that have large, large meetings.”