Capitol Rebuild - An Introduction
We all can't be Austin
I’m fascinated by America’s state capitals.
Fifty cities, each home to the levers of state power. On paper, it seems like an easy formula: concentrate the most powerful people in the state, plant a flagship university nearby, build a vibrant downtown, and watch the economic development unfold. Most of these places have had over a century to figure it out — the last time a state changed its capital was Oklahoma in 1910.
And yet... the results are all over the place.
Some capitals are booming centers of growth. Others haven’t managed to stitch their assets together. And a few seem content to be nothing more than a backdrop for fourth-grade field trips.
This is what Capitol Rebuild is about.
This project is my personal deep dive into all 50 state capitals — city by city, block by block — to understand what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s worth rebuilding. Why do some capitals soar while others stall? What role do universities, startup ecosystems, main streets, zoning boards, and billion-dollar state budgets play in shaping a city’s future? And how can placemaking, policy, and public-private-university partnerships rebuild momentum where it’s missing?
I’ll approach these questions with a mix of research, commentary, and completely subjective takes. Some cities are quietly thriving. Others are stuck in neutral. And a few just desperately need a coffee shop near the capitol building.
This isn’t a blog about government. It’s about what happens around it — the neighborhoods, business corridors, tech transfer, dive bars, sports teams, and local weirdness that make a capital city more than just a marble dome and a one-way street grid.
Let’s begin with a tier list. Because if there’s one thing the internet needs more of, it is subjective rankings of obscure places.
Austin the Unicorn
Giannis. Stripe. In-N-Out Burger. Beyoncé. Austin.
Some things are just built different. Austin gets its own tier thanks to explosive growth, global brand recognition, and a uniquely successful mix of state government, a flagship university, tech innovation, and lifestyle appeal. It’s the benchmark every other capital wishes it could replicate — and most can’t (and won’t).
Austin
The Capitol Building Just Happens to Be There
In these cities, being the capital is almost an afterthought. They’re major metros with broader economic engines — the legislature is just one player in a much bigger game. Still, having lawmakers around doesn’t hurt.
Boston
Atlanta
Phoenix
Denver
Indianapolis
Saint Paul
Next Up
These capitals are just getting started. They’ve pulled together the right ingredients — talent, universities, policies, and momentum — and will be the breakout stars this decade. Think of them as the 'next Austins' with a lot still to prove.
Columbus
Nashville
Salt Lake City
Raleigh
Honolulu
Not Your Favorite Field Trip
These cities offer little beyond the capitol building and maybe a gift shop. There’s no real downtown energy, university presence, or momentum. Redevelopment is slow, and the 21st century hasn’t quite arrived yet.
Springfield
Harrisburg
Topeka
Jefferson City
Carson City
Frankfort
Smoke-Filled Rooms
The perfect backdrop for a Taylor Sheridan series about politics, corruption, and great regional accents. These are old-school East Coast capitals with deep political roots, reputations for insider deals, and a lot of history — good and bad. If you’re an elected official here, you matter.
Providence
Hartford
Albany
Richmond
Great Bones
These are the cities that make you say, “You know, with a few smart moves...” They’ve got potential — historic cores, strong universities, signs of reinvestment — and are on the edge of something bigger. They just need a push.
Des Moines
Boise
Santa Fe
Lincoln
Little Rock
Sacramento
Oklahoma City
Columbia
Helena
Salem
Madison
Missing the Spark
All the ingredients are there: universities, civic institutions, a sense of place. But something isn’t clicking. Whether it’s political dysfunction, weak execution, or just a bad vibe, these cities haven’t figured out how to make it all work.
Lansing
Tallahassee
You Be You
Charming. Low-key. Content. These capitals don’t need to chase growth to have value. They’ve got identity and quality of life — and they’re just fine staying that way.
Montpelier
Augusta
Concord
Olympia
Juneau
Annapolis
They Are What They Are
They’re not bad. They’re not exciting. They just… are. No one’s moving there for opportunity, but no one’s fleeing either. Their floor is their ceiling.
Dover
Cheyenne
Bismarck
Pierre
Groundhog Day
One step forward, several steps back. These capitals face deep structural issues — long-term economic decline, underperforming institutions, and cycles of political stagnation. They need more than a new plan. They need a reset.
Charleston
Baton Rouge
Montgomery
Jackson
Trenton
Capitol Rebuild will start rolling out individual city profiles and then…who knows? Another podcast? Re-rankings? State capital tour? Anything is possible.