Eight trees on the north and south sides of the Culture Center will be coming down to allow contractors to dig trenches around the building to replace below-ground waterproofing membrane.
Capitol Building Commission members approved the work at an emergency meeting Monday.
Culture and History Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith said it is critical that contractors proceed immediately with the $347,194 project to take advantage of typically dry weather in August.
"The building has a leak, and we've been trying to get it fixed for some time," he said.
The below-ground waterproof rubber membrane around the 40-year-old Culture Center has deteriorated, resulting in leaks in at least two areas in the lower level, where the state museum is located, according to bid documents.
The state last month awarded the contract to Persinger & Associates of Charleston.
The project will require cutting down three trees on the north side of the building, adjacent to the bus turnaround, and five trees on the south side, facing the governor's mansion.
A fourth tree on the north side won't be cut down, but could have its root system damaged by the trenching to the point where it may not survive, commissioners were advised.
That tree has some significance, given that in 2004 the Kanawha Valley chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque honoring U.S. Armed Forces serving in the global war on terrorism at its base.
However, Caryn Gresham, deputy commissioner and Culture and History spokeswoman, said the DAR did not plant the tree, and said she will contact the local chapter about relocating the plaque if the tree does not survive.
Susan Pierce, deputy state Historic Preservation officer, signed off on the project, saying it does not "substantially alter the landscape of the Capitol complex," since new trees will be planted to replace those cut down once the construction work is completed.
In 2014, Culture and History paid Wiseman Construction of Charleston $62,410 to do interior waterproofing of the lower level of the Culture Center.
Under state law, the Capitol Building Commission must approve any substantial physical changes to Capitol complex buildings or grounds.
Reach Phil Kabler at philk@wvgazettemail.com,
304 348-1220, or follow @PhilKabler on Twitter.