CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s proposed 2015-16 West Virginia budget includes nearly $9 million to help pay for the long-delayed renovation of Capitol Complex Building 3, commonly called the DMV building.

“We would like to get that project started sometime in fiscal year 2016,” acting Administration Secretary Jason Pizatella told the House Finance Committee. That fiscal year begins July 1.

The request for bids for the renovation project was issued later Wednesday by the state Purchasing Division, with a bid opening set for March 26.

Renovation of the eight-story office building has been in the works since 2008. The project was put on hold in 2011, when the low bid for the contract came in more than $6 million over budget.

Pizatella said that plan called for moving offices of the state treasurer and state auditor into Building 3, which would have required significant amounts of new technology and security measures. Under the revised plan, some Department of Commerce agencies, including the Division of Tourism, would move into Building 3, which should reduce renovation costs, he said.

“We spent a year redesigning Building 3,” Pizatella said.