The fencing that went up at the Capitol this week marks the start of the next phase of the building's renovations.
"As part of the next phase of the ongoing repairs and renovation at the Missouri State Capitol, the Office of Administration will be fully removing the stone steps on the south side of the building," OA spokeswoman Ryan Burns said Thursday, "in order to provide new water-proofing material which will protect the substructure of the building from the current water infiltration that is occurring."
But the current plans don't require the bronze Thomas Jefferson statue in the middle of the south steps to be removed, she said.
Water has been seeping underneath the Capitol for a number of years.
Some of the problems were addressed several years ago when the west steps were removed and rebuilt.
Lawmakers last year included $40 million in the state budget for extensive Capitol renovations - with expectations they would be finished before the state observes the building's first century as the state government's home.
"This foundation and waterproofing phase will continue through the rest of 2016," Burns said, "and also will include the renovation and repair of the exterior stone terraces, south steps, east steps, and east and west carriage drives.
"These areas will receive a new waterproofing membrane that will replace the system installed in the past, which has exceeded its useful life."
That part of the project is expected to be done by the end of 2016, "which will allow for the 2017 inauguration ceremonies to proceed as they have in years past, if so desired," Burns said.
The water penetration over the years also has caused the building's concrete substructure to deteriorate. That damage will be repaired.
"Stone work, where mortar and sealant joints have failed and are allowing water to infiltrate interior occupied space on the governor's upper terrace, will be repaired," Burns said, and "the north plaza pavers will be reset or replaced due to significant deterioration. ...
"Upon completion, the surface will be more conducive to pedestrian traffic."
In addition to the construction fencing, expect to see scaffolding going up "on both the north and south sides of the building to allow for stone repair at the north portico and south pediment," Burns said. "(The) construction fence erected on the south lawn is for safety purposes, to ensure an adequate distance between the project construction zone and visitors to the Capitol.
"At least one set of (accessible) doors at the south side entrance will remain open throughout this process for ingress and egress."
The entire renovation is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2017.
The current Capitol was built 100 years ago to replace the previous building destroyed by a Feb. 5, 1911, lightning-caused fire.
State government began using the current building in 1918.