STATEHOUSE NEWS

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In honor of those killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Governor DeWine has ordered that all flags be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state on Patriot Day.

The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Friday, September 11, 2020.

Governor DeWine also asks that all Ohio citizens observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. on Friday, September 11, which is the time that the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

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In honor of the life and service of Cleveland Police Detective James Skernivitz, the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Cuyahoga County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower until sunset on the day of Detective Skernivitz's funeral. All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will begin Phase 4 of the Ohio Statehouse parking garage repair project Friday, September 4, 2020.

During Phase 4 of the repairs, the garage will remain in service, however at a reduced capacity. Approximately 25% or 300 spaces will be under construction throughout the entire project.

During construction, traffic flow will be maintained, and access to each level will be provided. Vehicles may enter the Broad Street and Third Street entrances. The State Street driving entrance will be closed for construction.

Driving exits will be open on the North side of the garage to Broad Street and Third Street. The State Street exits will be closed during Phase 4.

Spaces for accessible parking are provided on the North side of the Green Level. The area is convenient to the elevator in the North Penthouse. The South side stairs and the South Penthouse and elevator are closed in this phase.

Electric vehicle chargers will be available during this phase of renovation. The charging stations are located on the South side of the Green Level of the garage.

The walking tunnel to the Rhodes Tower is open to those with security badges. The entrances to the Riffe Center and Huntington Building will be affected in Phase 4. CSRAB will post updates at www.ohiostatehouse.org/announcements. Please, no pedestrian traffic on the ramps. This is especially dangerous during construction. Please use caution when driving or walking in the garage.

Many variables can affect the timing of a construction project. A map is attached, and updates about the Ohio Statehouse parking garage repair project can be found at http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/announcements.

The Ohio Statehouse Garage is a three level parking structure built in 1964. The last restoration project was completed in 1993 during the Statehouse renovations. The parking garage is U-shaped with seven stair towers and four elevators located throughout.

The garage services both daily and monthly parking customers, accommodating up to 1,200 vehicles daily.

Please, contact Mike Rupert at mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org or 614-745-6949 for project specific questions.

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The centennial of women’s suffrage is recognized on August 18, 2020. On that date, one hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed ensuring women the right to vote.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center is host to a compact exhibit about the landmark voting rights victory. “Rightfully Hers,” a pop-up display created by the National Archives, shows images and portraits related to the suffrage movement. The exhibit is open to the public through Labor Day in the Map Room of the Ohio Statehouse courtesy of the State Library of Ohio. Virtual learning about suffrage is available at these websites, https://museum.archives.gov/rightfully-hers and https://www.ohiosuffragecentennial.com/.

When visiting the Ohio Statehouse with recommended healthy practices, the public is invited to view The Ladies’ Gallery on the first floor. Pictures and displays tell the story of the women in the Ohio legislature. On the South Capitol Square grounds, a planting shows the colors of a suffragist sash, purple, white and gold.

The Statehouse Museum Shop carries commemorative items and pins related to women’s right to vote. The Shop is not open to in-person shopping until September 8, 2020 but will fill online orders at https://StatehouseShop.com.

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is proud to announce Lee Anne Back as the new manager of the Statehouse Museum Shop. Back was promoted July 24, 2020, and she follows her mentor Becky Wildman, who was the founding manager of the Statehouse Museum Shop when it opened in 1996. Wildman retired after twenty-four years of public service.

Lee Anne Back worked as the assistant manager at the Statehouse Museum Shop since 2001. She is a Certified Tourism Ambassador of the great city of Columbus and a promoter of the state of Ohio. She and her husband currently reside in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are honored and excited to serve our great Ohioans in these uncertain times,” said Lee Anne. “The Statehouse Museum Shop is a great little gem that offers wonderful Ohio products, such as Ohio wines, Ohio Proud food products, political themed products art, home or office decor, and souvenirs. We specialize in unique gifts such as our gifts baskets and flown Ohio or US flags with a certificate of authenticity. We are excited to present our yearly limited edition Ohio Statehouse ornament.”

The 2020 Ohio Statehouse Ornament, Heart of Democracy, is a limited edition commemorative holiday ornament. The collectible ornament features the Ohio Statehouse surrounded by evergreens and red cardinals, the state bird. The durable yet delicate metal ornament is finished in 24k gold and measures approximately 2 3/4 by 3 inches. It is presented in a luxurious velour-lined gift box with provenance card, and is proudly made in America.

The Statehouse Museum Shop, located on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse, is currently closed to in-person customers until further notice, but welcomes online orders at StatehouseShop.com or by calling 614-728-9234 or 1-888-OHIO123.

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In honor of the life and service of Congressman John Lewis, flags were flown at half staff on all public buildings Saturday, July 18, 2020.

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(COLUMBUS, OH) — Members of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will meet Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. The business meeting will be held in House Hearing Room 313 and will begin at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public, and will be live streamed online at OhioChannel.org. The meeting agenda is available upon request.

Please note the updated meeting location. Room 313 is accessible using the elevator or stairs in the South Light Court.

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(Columbus, OH) –Repairs to the Ohio Statehouse and the Capitol Square grounds due to the protests on May 28 through June 18 will cost the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board $158,263.57. This amount does not include the expenses incurred by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, or the costs to repair the damage that occurred on other state property.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex.

The CSRAB hired a professional service to clean and remove graffiti from the limestone building and walls, as well as the granite and marble monuments. The broken windows of the Ohio Statehouse have been boarded up since May 29, as the CSRAB collected quotes for repairs to the glass and the wooden millwork of the windows and doors. Exterior damages include pole lights and lanterns, a bench and many of the trash cans.
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