ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota leaders have agreed to spend up to $150,000 to begin fine-tuning plans for a proposed state Capitol restoration that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Gov. Mark Dayton, top lawmakers and others on a special preservation committee approved a contract Tuesday in hopes of getting an architect's detailed report prepared by mid-January.

Early estimates say renovations to the 106-year-old building could require $200 million.

Talk about significant construction at Minnesota's Capitol building has been happening for years, but there's an urgency surrounding the current discussion. Pieces from the marble façade have been crumbling and other problems have grown more acute.

Dayton says the presumed cost is "very daunting" but he hopes it can be spread out over several years.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.