Chris Christie's Big Announcement: 'I Am Completing My Term' [Video]

Gov. Chris Christie practically ended speculation Tuesday that he would be leaving office to serve in the Trump administration, telling a press gathering: "I am not going anywhere."

"For those of you looking forward to me leaving before January 2018, sorry to disappoint you," the governor told a press gathering Tuesday (see video below), where he took no questions.

"I am not going anywhere," said Christie, who used the moment to announce a $300 million renovation project for the Trenton Statehouse.

Christie said he realized he called a press conference that created speculation about his future, but he said: "If I were announcing that I was leaving, I wouldn't be doing it here."

"Everybody just get logical about this," he said, adding that President-elect Donald Trump would likely be with him if he was making an announcement about leaving for a job in Washington, D.C.

Christie used the occasion mostly to say he's planning to begin the renovation work in July and plans to "evacuate" at least part of the building for the work before then.

Christie initially was supposed to hold a press conference and take questions, but that was changed Tuesday to a "press announcement" that did not allow questions.

As for his future, Christie is said to be under consideration to head the U.S. Department of Energy. But a list of grievances and failures have reportedly doomed his chances in the Trump administration, according to an expansive New York Times analysis.

Christie already lost his job as Trump's transition chairman earlier this month, and some of his appointments drew criticism from people outside and inside Trump's inner circle. Christie also met with Trump for about 20 minutes last week in what was viewed as one of the shortest transition meetings Trump has had.

Read more: Christie's Chances With Trump May Be Doomed: List of Grievances, Failures Reported

"Bridgegate" troubles have also resurfaced. Christie has agreed to appear in court after getting a criminal summons for official misconduct allegations connected to the George Washington Bridge lane-closings scandal, according to court documents.

Christie was scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Hackensack, Bergen County, on Nov. 23, but Judge Bonnie Mizdol signed an order setting oral arguments for Jan. 11.

Judge Roy F. McGeady has found probable cause to investigate a complaint of official misconduct against Christie related to the George Washington Bridge lane-closure scandal.

Christie, meanwhile, said he made the decision to move forward on the renovation project after visiting the Maryland Statehouse recently.

He said the 224-year-old Trenton building is a fire "trap" and its condition is "shameful." He said the executive branch has spent $3 million in Band-Aids, including a renovation that was undertaken about two decades ago.

Christie, saying he's directing much of his attention back to Trenton, said the Statehouse has deteriorated, and an office next to his that houses "all the computer servers that serve" the building is sinking into the ground.

"Windows are literally falling out of this building and have to be strapped into window frames," he said.

"The building, in short, is subject to catastrophic failure in many places," he said. "Thirty-five percent of this building does not have HVAC coverage."

Here is a video of the press conference:

Statehouse photo

Patch file photo