ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Historical Society plans to ask state lawmakers for more than $30 million to build a new visitors center at Fort Snelling.

Site manager Tom Pfannenstiel said the underground building where visitors pay admission, buy souvenirs and view exhibits before heading to the actual fort is leaking. Minnesota Historical Society public policy director David Kelliher said officials don’t think it makes sense to continue investing in the 32-year-old building.

According to a press release, the historical society, which operates the fort, wants to renovate vacant cavalry barracks on the property and convert it into a new visitors center.

Officials hope to complete the project before Fort Snelling’s 200th anniversary celebration in 2020.