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Capital Square Review and Advisory Board seeks operating increases and $6 million for preventive repairs
Summary
The Capital Square Review and Advisory Board asked the committee for modest annual operating increases and a $6 million dedicated appropriation to address multiple preventive-maintenance and accessibility projects across the Statehouse complex, including HVAC work, marble repair, fountain and monument cleaning and ADA upgrades.
Phil Miller, interim director of the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB), told the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee Feb. 4 that CSRAB oversees operation, maintenance and preservation of the Statehouse complex and requested modest GRF operating increases plus a $6 million dedicated appropriation to fund a suite of preventive-maintenance projects.
Why it matters: CSRAB manages Capitol Square, the Statehouse museum, events, the parking garage and grounds; Miller said the board handles education programs and free tours and that the complex hosts hundreds of public events each year.
Miller described a multi-part request: a 3% annual increase in GRF operating authority to keep pace with inflation and negotiated costs; $6 million in a dedicated appropriation to cover facility assessments and projects that include tile and marble repair, limestone and iron-fence repair, stair and handrail work, ADA upgrades, parking garage fire-suppression replacement and irrigation and fountain repairs. CSRAB also asked that fund-authority levels for the 2080 parking fund and the 4S70 museum/events fund be maintained or modestly increased to stabilize operations and to transfer $1 million from the parking fund to 4S70 to support the museum shop's financial turnaround.
Miller noted CSRAB has invested more than $60 million in capital improvements over recent years and that staffing succession is a concern: 14% of its 66 full-time staff are eligible to retire within five years. He asked for continued support to preserve the Statehouse as a public educational resource.
What was not decided: The committee took no formal votes during the presentation. Members asked follow-up questions about funding sources and whether some repairs were related to past public disturbances; Miller said some restitution had been collected but most projects are routine preventive maintenance.
Looking ahead: CSRAB requested the appropriation authority and said it would continue to provide education programming and tours while managing preventive repairs and upgrades across Capitol Square.
