TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Workers are preparing to remove temporary walls on the first floor of the Kansas Statehouse, unsealing part of the building's rotunda for the first time in four years.

Statehouse Architect Barry Greis (grys) says the work will start Thursday as the massive renovation of the Capitol's first through fifth floors nears an end.

The renovation began in 2001 and is expected to cost $332 million. The project will include a new visitor center in the building's basement.

Greis says that with the temporary walls gone from the first floor, visitors will be able to stroll through the rotunda and look up at the Statehouse dome.

Greis expects other temporary walls to come down by Sept. 28.