Text by Brent Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Video and Photos by Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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A view of the rotunda under the Statehouse dome.

It's been a year since final approval was given to Gov. Chris Christie's controversial plan to spend $300 million in taxpayer money to restore New Jersey's two-century-old Statehouse in Trenton.

So how's it going so far? The state — which is now overseen by new Gov. Phil Murphy — gave reporters a tour of the renovations late last week.

Here's what we saw and learned:

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1. Murphy's administration admits this was needed.

The golden-domed capitol — which dates 1792 — is the second-oldest continuous state capitol in the U.S., after Maryland. Christie, a Republican, announced in late 2016 that it was in grave need of an update because sections were in danger of "catastrophic failure."

The problem that critics had was how it was approved and paid for. The state borrowed money, financing it through the state Economic Development Authority, without the say of the state Legislature or voters, as required by the state constitution.

Both Murphy, the Democratic nominee, and Kim Guadagno, his Republican rival and Christie's own lieutenant governor, questioned the project on the campaign trail last year.

Murphy wondered why the cost was so expensive, but he did not say the renovation should be stopped.

Now, Murphy's state treasurer, Elizabeth Muoio defended it.

“This is a project that is necessary, and I think the concerns were more about how the funding was put together," Muoio, a former member of the state Assembly, told reporters after the tour. "But the need is clearly here."

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2. It's about one-fifth done.

Officials say the project is about 15 to 20 percent complete.

Only the executive branch of the Statehouse — where the governor and his staff work — is being updated. The Legislature's wing was renovated years ago.

So far, the building has been gutted and cleared of furniture, fixtures, and everything else that's "non-hisotrical," said Building Authority Executive Director Ray Arcario, who led the tour.

Officials said Christie's assessment that the building was hazardous was true. They said the building lacked a fire-suppression system, windows were close to falling out, duct tape was keeping skylights together, and there was water damage all over.

Still, Arcario said, the building was structurally "very, very" sound.

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3. It's on budget and on track (to finish after Murphy's first term).

So far, New Jersey has secured about $38 million in public contracts for the project so far, officials confirmed.

The Associated Press was the first to report that figure, through the Open Public Records Act.

The AP reported those invoices show contracts with about a half-dozen architecture, demolition, and hazardous materials firms. Billing began as soon as a few weeks after Christie’s administration greenlighted the project.

In one example, East Coast Hazmat submitted a bill for about $400,000 in November for asbestos abatement. In another, Philadelphia-based Nelco Architecture has a nearly $24 million contract covering demolition and renovation.

Officials say the project is on budget and on track to finish on time — four years from now, in 2022.

"Everything is on schedule," Arcario said.

In a parting gift from Christie, Murphy and his staff are located down West State Street in a temporary space at the State Archives building. The project is slated to be done after Murphy faces re-election.

In other words, he'll have to win a second term to actually govern from the Statehouse.

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State Building Authority Executive Ray Arcario stands in one of the oldest parts of the Statehouse.

4. Some of the wood is quite old. Like Founding Fathers old.

On the main floor, some of the wood beams date to the 18th century.

Aracrio said some of the building had been walled off over decades and 18 building campaigns. He added that workers are keeping as many elements as they "can possibly keep."

"There will be a great effort to preserve that," Arcario said of one room with wood traced to the 1790s.

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5. Much of the massive work is ahead.

Next up: The state will grant contracts for the actual renovation and restoration stretch of the project. That is slated to begin early next year, officials said.

Arcario said that will include new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

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A a chandelier inside the governor's outer office, where press events were held. It will be updated to include LED lighting.

MORE COVERAGE

Christie announces $300M N.J. Statehouse renovation project

Christie's renovation gets final approval

What's your $300M for renovations getting so far? Here's an inside look

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.