Tuesday, July 24, 2012
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
A lawmaker panel OK’d plans to install metal fencing around the Ohio Statehouse as an added security measure.
The state Controlling Board released more than $378,000 for the project Monday, with about 1,000 linear feet of the pointy fencing expected to be installed before the end of the year.
Comparable fencing was in place around the Statehouse more than a century ago but was removed around 1873, said Gregg Dodd, spokesman for the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board.
Some sections of the roughly 3-foot-high fence remain in place on the grounds — above parking garage entrances and around and near the statue of President William McKinley on the west side of Capitol Square, for example.
The new plan calls for the fencing to be installed along retaining walls near the sidewalks that surround the grounds, lining Broad, State and High streets and ending at Statehouse garage entrances.
There will be no fencing installed on the Third Street side, in front of the Ohio Senate building, which is attached to the Statehouse. And existing sidewalk entries onto Capitol Square will not be blocked.
According to Dodd, “The fence would provide CSRAB with the ability of not needing to rent as much bicycle fencing for certain events on Capitol Square. The fence would help with crowd control and security check points when appropriate (e.g., inauguration of a governor, presidential candidate visit) in the case of large rallies and other events on Capitol Square.”
The project is separate from a study being undertaken that will make recommendations for security improvements at the Statehouse.
The fencing plan OK’d by the Controlling Board was among several Statehouse projects approved Monday. Lawmakers also released nearly $28,000 for sound system improvements in committee hearing rooms and about $71,000 for paver replacements.