A steel worker prepares to guide a steel girder coming his way atop the new headquarters of the California State Lottery Commission (above) and a big beam is guided towards two support beams (below).

The California Lottery began construction on its new 155,000-square-foot headquarters located just north of Richards Boulevard at the intersection of 10th and Vine.

Otto Construction was the winner from the 14 companies that had been vying for the contract. Work began this spring and is expected to be completed July 2011, according to an unidentified construction worker. LPAS, formerly LPA Sacramento Inc. is the architect on the project.

According to a press release ,"the new building is expected to meet gold or platinum level under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program through use of solar panels, daylight harvesting systems and window coverings that automatically adjust to reduce sun glare and heat . The new headquarters building will replace the aging building that’s leaky and too large for current operations. It’s the first phase of a plan to use excess land to build additional office space that can be leased to other state agencies or private companies."

"The new headquarters is expected to cost between $54 million and $64 million. It will be financed with the lottery’s administrative funds, which aren’t connected to the state’s general fund or affected by the budget crisis."

Steel flooring is hoisted above the top floor under construction.

A panel of floor is moved into place (above and below).

An illustration of the completed project (www.lpasdesign.com/)

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner