The state's historic Supreme Court chamber will get its first use Tuesday after a comprehensive $300 million overhaul of the Minnesota Capitol left the chamber unusable for more than two years.
Minnesota Supreme Court returns to historic chamber
Justices will hear two cases, the first at the Capitol since renovations began in 2014.
January 3, 2017 at 2:14AM
Justices will hear arguments for two cases in the stately chamber when the court convenes Tuesday morning.
The presentations will be the first official proceedings held in the State Capitol since May 2016, when the Legislature adjourned and the building was closed to the public to finish the renovation project.
The state Supreme Court last heard oral arguments in the Capitol in May 2014.
Since then, justices heard cases in the neighboring Minnesota Judicial Center. They will continue to hear cases in both the Capitol and the Judicial Center.
The state's highest court will hear arguments in two cases, Wilbur v. State Farm and Ashland v. Commissioner of Revenue, just hours before the Legislature gavels in to begin the 2017 legislative session.
The State Farm case stems from a dispute between a consumer and the insurance company over state law that allows for a penalty in the case of an "unreasonable denial of first-party insurance claims."
The Ashland case is a tax dispute involving a global chemical manufacturer and the state Department of Revenue.
The court chamber renovation was part of the massive taxpayer-funded overhaul of the Capitol, the landmark's first complete renovation since opening in 1905.
State officials spent millions of dollars to open up more public space, restore some of the original architectural features of the building and modernize air conditioning, heat and bathrooms.
In the Supreme Court chamber, a skylight was restored to allow natural light. Before the renovation, the skylight was covered and artificial light was installed above the glass to create a natural feel.
The court chamber also got new wiring, updated audio and visual equipment, acoustic wall panels and a ramp to make the room more accessible to those with disabilities. Craftsmen also completed painstaking restoration of all historic artwork and installed new curtains and a wood railing.
Ricardo Lopez • 651-925-5042
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