A four-year, $300 million "complete renovation of the State House" in Trenton will begin next year, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday.
"These are the types of things second-term governors can and should do," he said in announcing the major overhaul, which he said was inspired by a trip to the Maryland State House last year.
Christie said the golden-domed Trenton landmark was built in 1792 and has received $3 million in "bandaid" renovations in recent years.
He said work will begin in July. At that time, he added, all of its occupants will be dispersed to other state buildings in Trenton.
Toward the end of the announcement in the rotunda of the statehouse, he again addressed the possibility of an appointment to a federal post in the upcoming Trump administration.
"I am completing my term," he said. "I am telling you that I am completing my term."
There has been speculation Christie could be tapped for a post in President-elect Donald Trump's administration. But he was replaced as chief of Trump's White House transition team and the governor has recently said he intends to finish his final year in office while leaving the door open to a Trump offer.
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