STATEHOUSE NEWS

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Media Alert/Interview Availability

What: The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will unveil the addition of a height-adjustable universal changing table at the Ohio Statehouse to meet the restroom needs of people with disabilities, people with mobility challenges, and those with complex medical conditions.

When: Monday, September 18 at 11 a.m.

Where: The Map Room on the Ground Floor of the Ohio Statehouse,
1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215

Why: To ensure that people with disabilities have a clean, hygienic and safe space to address their restroom needs.

To provide people with disabilities and those who have mobility challenges with access the “the People’s House” and their elected officials.

To ensure inclusion for all citizens, elected officials and visitors.

What are universal changing tables? Universal changing tables are similar to infant changing tables
found in restrooms at restaurants and shopping and
entertainment venues, but are designed to accommodate the
height and weight of adults. They can also be used for infants
and children.

Who: This project was a collaboration between CSRAB, the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization advocating for accessible restrooms for all.

Interviews: We invite you to join Ohio Statehouse Director Laura Battocletti, Montgomery County
Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent Pamela Combs, and
Changing Spaces Ohio co-lead Jennifer Corcoran for interviews at 11 a.m.

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Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board media contact:
Mike Rupert; mrupert@ohiostatehouse.org; 614-728-4185

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services media contact:
Janice Saddler Rice; jrice@mcbdds.org; 937-776-0866

Changing Spaces Campaign Ohio media contact:
Jennifer Corcoran; changingspacesoh@gmail.com; 937-307-3509

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In honor of those killed in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Governor DeWine has ordered that all U.S. and Ohio 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 the 22nd anniversary of the attacks, Monday, September 11, 2023.

At the Ohio Statehouse, view a display of 2977 flags in remembrance of each life lost on 9-11. The flags may be seen until Tuesday, September 12 at noon.

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(Columbus, OH)—The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) and the Capitol Square Foundation (CSF) are pleased to announce that 81 schools will be awarded Transportation Grants for the 2023-2024 academic year. The online application will open on Monday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18.

The grants will help schools defray bus transportation costs for field trips to the Ohio Statehouse and its museum. Each grant’s amount will be based on one-way mileage from the visiting school to the Ohio Statehouse.

Since the creation of CSF’s program in 2009, more than 75,000 students from all 88 counties in Ohio have visited the Ohio Statehouse through the assistance of these grants. “The Foundation is grateful for the partnership with Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. and their remarkable, continued financial support," said Charles Moses, CSF Chairman. “This program allows students from all over Ohio to learn first-hand how their government works and how they can make a difference.”

27 grants will be awarded in each of three mileage categories:
1 to 50 miles ($200)
51 to 100 miles ($300)
101+ miles ($400)

This year, teachers will have eight days to submit applications. CSRAB will use a random number generator to choose 27 schools from each mileage category.

"The Transportation Grant Program affords Ohio schools a way to visit the Ohio Statehouse," said Laura P. Battocletti, CSRAB Executive Director. “Students who visit the Statehouse have an unforgettable experience of Ohio civics and Ohio history.”

The Transportation Grants will be available to any school in Ohio that receives state funding. Grants are limited to students in the fourth through 12th grades during the 2023-2024 academic year. Only one Transportation Grant will be awarded to each school, regardless of the number of buses or students visiting the Ohio Statehouse. Additionally, schools must have a minimum of 20 students on their field trip in order to be eligible for a grant, and recipients must schedule and attend a guided tour of the Statehouse in order to receive their funds.

Only online applications will be accepted and must be submitted by an authorized teacher or school administrator. Applications will be accepted for eight days, from Sept. 11-18. All grant applicants will be notified of their status on Sept. 20, 2023.

Detailed information about the program is available at: https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/visit/school-and-group-tours/school-bus-transportation-grant-program

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UPDATE: All tickets are sold out. 10-11-2023 CSRAB

Columbus, OH—On Monday, Sept. 11, tickets for the Ohio Statehouse’s Haunted Tours go on sale. The much-loved yet eerie tours will take place Friday, Oct. 13; Saturday, Oct. 14; Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21 at the state Capitol.

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT MUST BE PRE-ORDERED.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults ages 18 and older and $7 for students ages 12 to 17, plus a $3 processing fee per order. The tours through the darkened halls of the building depart every half hour between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Affordable event parking will be available in the Statehouse Underground Garage for $5 beginning at 6 p.m.


Tickets may be purchased in three ways:
· Online at statehouseshop.com
· In-person at the Statehouse Museum Shop on the ground floor of the Ohio Statehouse
· Over the phone by calling 614-728-9234

If participants dare to embark on an adventure through the dark chambers and haunted hallways of the Statehouse, they will hear spooky tales from Ohio’s past in a manner that combines history with legend. By lantern, guides will lead visitors through one of the country’s oldest functioning capitol buildings to create a ghostly environment that is most appropriate for ages 12 and older.

Pictures from previous years are available at ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/haunted-tours-photos.

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COLUMBUS, OH –The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will host the “Ohio Statehouse Special Events Vendor Showcase” Monday, Sept. 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will feature food from the Statehouse’s approved caterers, showcase event designs by our service providers and highlight the Ohio Statehouse as an event/wedding venue. Parking vouchers for the Statehouse garage will be available during the event. This event is free and open to the public.

CSRAB would like to introduce the Ohio Statehouse Special Events team of Angela Glick, Marybeth Pancoast and Taylor Wegman. The showcase is the perfect opportunity to explore the most unique event venue in Ohio while you enjoy all that our approved caterers and service providers have to offer for your next special event.

There are 10 Approved Caterers at the Ohio Statehouse:

-Creative Cuisine
-Emelio's Catering
-Feed Your Soul Catering
-Freedom a la Cart
-L.A. Catering
-MCL Restaurant and Bakery
-Metro Cuisine Catering & Special Events
-Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services
-Steven's Catering
-Together & Company

There are 16 Service Providers at the Ohio Statehouse:

-A Vision of Elegance Event Rentals
-Aiden & Grace Rentals
-Awesome Entertainment
-Bell Tree Productions
-Bolkem Event Rentals
-Borrow Curated
-Event Source
-Got Ya Covered
-Hughie's Audio Visual Service
-ITA Audio Visual Solutions
-L!VE
-Lasting Impressions
-Metro Cuisine
-Mills James
-Prema Designs
-Rent Wedding Chairs

Enjoy an evening of food and fun on Capitol Square—let us make your next event unforgettable.

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Update: Video of the ceremony can be viewed on the Ohio Channel. https://www.ohiochannel.org/video/ohio-statehouse-911-flag-memorial
Photos available at: https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/galleries/flags-for-9-11-in-2023

(Columbus, OH)— The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) will commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 with a memorial flag display on the west lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. A short program will begin Thursday, September 7 at 5 p.m. on the west steps of the Ohio Statehouse and will feature remarks from state officials. After the program, volunteers from across central Ohio will install the 2,977 flags that comprise the memorial.

The Ohio Statehouse has been the venue for the annual 9/11 memorial from 2002 through 2023, only missing 2020 due to the pandemic. The flags represent the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93. When seen from above, the design represents the World Trade Center towers, with a space in the shape of the Pentagon and an open strip representing the field in Pennsylvania. Located on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse, the memorial will be open to the public from 7 p.m. Thursday, September 7 until 12 p.m. Tuesday, September 12.

The September 7 program will include brief remarks by several dignitaries from state government in Ohio including:

• Director Deborah Ashenhurst, Ohio Department of Veterans Services


• Senator Hearcel Craig, Ohio Senate District 15, Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board


• Representative Tracy Richardson, Ohio House of Representatives District 86, and


• Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon

The flag display is a memorable and moving scene on the Ohio Statehouse lawn. The volunteers installing the flags include individuals from across the State of Ohio. The flags will be checked daily by staff and volunteers. Please contact Emily Volkmann, evolkmann@ohiostatehouse.org or 614-466-9335 to volunteer for this event.

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Thursday is "Ohio Overdose Awareness Day." The thirty-first day of August is designated to raise public awareness of the epidemic and to remember the lives lost to the epidemic. In recognition of Ohio Overdose Awareness Day, the state flag displayed at a state building or public institution shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on August 31.

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The Underground Parking Garage at the Ohio Statehouse will replace the equipment and pay stations during the last weeks of August. Please, follow the signage showing traffic pattern changes.

On Thursday, August 24, only two pay stations will be available, one near the sliding glass doors entering the Statehouse, and one near the Rhodes Building tunnel. Drivers may also pay at the exit gates.

Starting on Friday, August 25, ALL pay stations will be closed. The north entrance and exit gates will be closed at Broad St. Please enter, exit and pay at the south gates at Third St. and State St.

Please watch for up-to-date directional signs this week and beyond while this work is being completed. Thank you for your patience.

If you have questions, please contact the Parking Garage office at 614-728-2557. Older Posts Newer Posts