BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Demolition has begun this week on the former State Office Building, which once served as the location for various state departments in North Dakota's capital city. On June 19, the North Dakota State Legislature Budget Section approved $736,000 in state funds to pay for tearing down the building, located at 900 East Boulevard Avenue. It currently sits on the southeast corner of the state capitol grounds. The structure was originally built in 1955 to serve as Bismarck Junior College, and was later acquired by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly in the 1960s to provide state government departments with more office space. Since its construction, the building has experienced many infrastructure issues over the past few decades. The building was renovated in 1991 to help resolve water damage in the basement and walls. Two years ago, the North Dakota Department of Water Resources (NDDWR) moved its offices out of the State Office Building when inspectors discovered mold had returned around windows and walls. It has since sat vacant since NDDWR moved out in 2022. University of Mary students close their books to volunteer In the past week, construction crews have placed safety fencing up around the building and moved in heavy equipment as they prepare to take it down — but most of the "It actually started coming down, interior-wise, already," said Tom Job, Physical Plant Director of the Office of Management and Budget's Facility Management Division. "There are things that have to be done before just bulldozing it, so to speak. Job states that much of that work involved moving out mechanical and electrical components, along with removing asbestos. He says that the exterior demolition of the building, which will be visible to people driving by it, is planned to begin early next week. "The building has served us well," he concludes. "We are sad to see it go, but excited to see what happens next," expressed Job. Job says that if the weather cooperates, the building should be completely demolished in the next few weeks, and the area later filled in with fresh dirt and compacted by November. He also says the Capital Grounds Planning Commission will look over plans on what to do next with the site once the building is removed. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW