Capitol and grounds exhibit and event guidelines

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS
Exhibit and Event
Guidelines
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Georgia Building Authority Support Services
One Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-657-7407

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 2 of 9

Table of Contents
1 OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................. 3 2 PUBLIC USE OF CAPITOL ............................................................................................. 3
2.1 General Guidelines ................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Use of Interior Public Areas ....................................................................................... 5 2.3 License Agreement................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Film Industry Use .................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Use of Liberty Plaza.................................................................................................. 6 3 RESERVING SPACE AT THE CAPITOL............................................................................ 7 Awareness Statement ....................................................................................... Appendix A

Liberty Plaza, Atlanta GA

REV 3/19/2015

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 3 of 9

SECTION 1 OVERVIEW
The Georgia State Capitol building is the State's legislative center and an architecturally and historically significant facility located in downtown Atlanta. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
These guidelines are provided to govern the temporary use of the public spaces of the State Capitol building and grounds. The Board of Regents maintains the Georgia Capitol Museum located inside the Capitol and conducts tours of the Capitol.
Permitted temporary uses of the public spaces within the Capitol are conditioned upon acceptance of and compliance with these guidelines and payment of applicable fees. A person who refuses to adhere to these conditions is subject to criminal penalties provided by law and to immediate removal from the Capitol building and grounds.
Sponsoring organizations who are authorized, in accordance with these guidelines, to use the public spaces within the Capitol release the State of Georgia, the Georgia Building Authority (GBA), its members, officers, agents, and employees against any and all damages, claims, or other liabilities due to personal injury or death, or damage to or loss of property to others, arising out of the temporary use of any State facility, except to the extent of the sole negligence of GBA.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) are the law enforcement entities responsible for security of the Capitol building and grounds. DPS or GBI may suspend or modify the use of the Capitol building and grounds and adopt temporary guidelines as needed.

SECTION 2 USE OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND GROUNDS
2.1 General Guidelines
The interior public spaces of the Georgia Capitol, which is defined as the South Wing and Rotunda, and Liberty Plaza, which is designated as the only outside venue, may be temporarily used as locations for organized events, exhibits, news conferences and occasions for a public or governmental purpose subject to the following rules and restrictions:
1. Official public business by the agencies of the State and branches of State Government shall take precedence over any other requested use of public areas of the Capitol.
2. Priority is given on a first-come, first-served basis, taking into consideration governmental activities and scheduled guided tours. GBA may determine priority in the temporary use of the public areas of the Capitol.
3. Organizations and persons desiring to use the public areas should apply to GBA at least 10 days in advance of the event.
4. No more than one event or display will be scheduled for the same time on the same day unless space and participant estimates allow.
5. No event or exhibit shall be scheduled for more than 5 consecutive business days, or for more than 10 business days in any one calendar year.

REV 3/19/2015

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 4 of 9

6. Posting, hanging, or affixing signs, banners, flags, announcements, documents, or decorations on any exterior or interior surface of the Capitol is prohibited. All event items and materials are to be removed. All areas must be returned to their pre-event condition.
7. It is illegal for any person, firm, group, organization, or other entity to beg, panhandle, solicit, charge for admission, or to sell goods, wares, or any other objects or services within the State Capitol or grounds. Exhibits must legibly identify to a reasonable observer their ownership or sponsorship by either a governmental or private organization or persons.
8. Every effort must be made to avoid placing cords and wires in walking areas. In the event this is not possible, all exposed cords or wires shall be securely covered in the walking areas by the organization.
9. The State of Georgia is not responsible for damage to or loss or theft of exhibits during the period of their installation, display, or removal. The exhibitor acknowledges that no special security is provided to exhibits by DPS.
10. Event organizer is responsible for all clean up and any property damage caused by their activities during an event or exhibit.
11. Defacing or damaging any Capitol property is punishable by law.
12. If open flames are to be used in connection with an outdoor event, GBA must approve in advance.
13. In case of natural disaster, unforeseen emergencies, or threats endangering public safety or health, DPS and/or GBA reserves the right to cancel (prior to or during) events inside the Capitol building or on the Capitol grounds.
14. Sound or noise which is audible to a person of normal hearing ability more than 250 feet from the point of origin is prohibited in outdoor public areas.
15. Buses and vans may park on Washington Street in the far right lane.
16. No one shall climb upon the statues, memorials, or other features.
17. No one shall encroach upon the grass and gardens of the Capitol grounds. The only exception is the grass area located at Liberty Plaza.
18. Camping or sleeping on the Capitol grounds is not allowed.
19. Limited public parking is available in and around the Capitol Hill area.
20. Requests to modify or change the exterior lighting surrounding the Capitol Building and its dome as part of the recognition of a special event, exhibit, or occasion will not be approved.
21. No alcohol is allowed in the Capitol buildings or on the grounds.
22. Organized events, exhibits, news conferences, and occasions for public or governmental purposes that take place after normal business hours shall be approved by DPS.

REV 3/19/2015

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 5 of 9

2.2 Use of Interior Public Areas of the Capitol Building
In addition to the General Guidelines, the following rules apply specifically to the temporary use of interior public areas of the Capitol building:
1. Organized events and exhibits will be scheduled only during regular hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The regular operating hours may be modified based upon budget, staffing, safety, or weather consideration.
2. The Capitol is closed on all observed holidays as declared by the Governor.
3. Entrances to the Capitol are monitored by DPS. Access to the indoor public areas of the Capitol is conditioned upon consent to search and inspection.
4. The indoor public areas of the Capitol available for events or exhibits are limited to the second floor in the Rotunda or in the adjacent South Wing as space allows.
5. A maximum of 113 chairs and 12 tables are permitted in the South Wing.
6. Smoking is prohibited in State facilities.
7. Moving of GBA furnishings (tables, chairs, podiums, etc.) is not permitted without prior written approval from GBA.
8. Moving paintings and museum exhibits is not permitted without prior written approval from the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia.
9. Helium balloons are not allowed in the indoor public areas of the Capitol.
10. The use of sticks/poles are not allowed inside the State Capitol building. Use includes, but is not limited to, attachment to cardboard signs, placards, and flags.
11. Except for service animals, animals are not allowed in the indoor public areas of the Capitol without approval from GBA.
12. No open flames, including candles, or ignited materials are permitted.
13. Requests for an event to be held in the interior public areas of the Capitol after normal business hours as provided in paragraph 1 of this section 2.1 will not be approved unless such event is: a) being held or hosted by a constitutional officer of the State of Georgia; and b) the purpose for such event is of statewide significance and non-partisan based. As the chair of GBA, the Governor retains the discretion to determine whether or not the above-referenced conditions, a and b, are met.
14. GBA has equipment (i.e., microphone, podium, chairs and tables) for use at exhibits or events. Fees are charged for any equipment, utilities and labor used for setup/removal. Arrangements for equipment should be made at the time of application. All non-GBA AV equipment must be pre-approved by GBA.
15. Persons or organizations using GBA equipment will be responsible for full payment no later than 10 days prior to the event or availability cannot be guaranteed.
16. Persons or organizations using GBA equipment will be responsible for any damage to or loss of these items.

REV 3/19/2015

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 6 of 9

2.3 License Agreement
Some activities may require separate written license agreement(s).
2.4 Film Industry Use
The public areas of the Capitol may be used on a temporary basis for filming by either the motion picture or television industries. Such use is subject to the provisions of 2.1 and 2.2 herein above and subject to the following additional rules and restrictions:
1. Any use of the public spaces of the Capitol for filming will be subject to those terms and conditions documented in a separate written license agreement entered into between GBA and the company responsible for the film project.
2. In addition to other fees, which may be charged by GBA (including but not limited to parking fees, facility cleaning fees, and costs associated with work orders), the base fee for issuance of the license and the use of the public interior spaces of the Capitol shall not be less than $25,000.00 per calendar day.
3. GBA reserves the right to prohibit the presence of beverages containing alcohol, including but not limited to distilled spirits, liquor, beer and wine, within the Capitol as such beverages may be associated with or used in the filming of any movie or television production.
4. GBA reserves the right to review any screenplay, scene description, script pages, and costume or wardrobe descriptions prior to issuance of a license to use the public areas of the Capitol for filming.
2.5 Use of Liberty Plaza
In addition to the General Guidelines contained in 2.1 herein above, the following rules apply to the temporary uses of Liberty Plaza, located on the east side of the State Capitol. In the event of any conflict between the General Guidelines and the following guidelines, the guidelines of this provision 2.5 will control.
1. Liberty Plaza is designated as the Capitol public area for all outdoor events or exhibits. Liberty Plaza is for public use and cannot be reserved for a private or commercial event.
2. Liberty Plaza is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. events may be scheduled upon approval of GBA and DPS. Events on Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. can be scheduled for organized events upon approval of GBA and DPS. All events will be scheduled through the GBA Events Management System at http://events.gba.ga.gov/eventregistration.htm.
3. During normal business hours organized events will be required to be approved by GBA.
4. GBA does not provide AV or equipment for Liberty Plaza. Any equipment or AV being provided by the requestor must be submitted and approved by GBA.
5. Groups that are larger than the State Fire Marshal Occupancy of 3,400 shall obtain a lane or street closure.
6. If the event is going to impact streets located adjacent to Liberty Plaza, then the applicant must obtain a lane or street closure from the Special Operations Division of the Atlanta Police Department.
7. An organization or persons temporarily using the area may provide electrical generators at their own expense.
REV 3/19/2015

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 7 of 9

8. A temporary structure may be anchored to the grass areas with sand bags only.
9. Equipment or structures temporarily erected by an organization or persons, as part of an event, shall be removed daily by the time scheduled for the closing of Liberty Plaza. Structures are required to comply with the requirements as set forth by the Fire Marshal's Office.
10. The ringing of the Liberty Bell will only take place on occasions of state or national significance as determined by the Governor.
11. If a sound system is being used during a Liberty Plaza event then the speakers placed on the stage shall face straight ahead and be pointed at the Liberty Plaza flags. Speakers placed on either side of the Capitol Avenue entrance must face the pedestrian bridge. The decibel level created by the sound system shall not exceed 65 decibels measured from the east steps of the State Capitol building. Sound in excess of 65 decibels will be reduced or shut off.
12. Porta toilets can be placed on Parking Deck B (painted hatched area) which is adjacent to Liberty Plaza. When facing the flags, the designated area is located immediately to your right after passing underneath the pedestrian bridge. Height restrictions under the bridge are 7'4" and may require unloading before the bridge and moving the porta toilets to the designated area. Event sponsor will be responsible for any damage or clean-up related to the use of porta toilets from the time of delivery to pick up. Porta toilets cannot remain on-site overnight.

SECTION 3 RESERVING PUBLIC AREA SPACE AT THE CAPITOL
Requests for reserving use of space in the public areas of the Capitol, including Liberty Plaza, for events or exhibits must be made to:
Events Coordinator Georgia Building Authority One Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SW Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404.657.7407
A sponsoring organization that submits a request to reserve a public area or space of the Capitol for an event or exhibit shall provide the following to the Events Coordinator:
1. The "Event Request Form" Form is available at www.gba.ga.gov/forms and requires the following information:
a) Name/address/telephone number of contact person(s) b) Name of organization c) Description of planned event or exhibit d) Date/time and duration requested for event or exhibit e) Area requested for use f) Equipment needed (tables, chairs, public address system) g) Food or beverage information h) Number of estimated attendees
2. Requests for exhibit space shall include a photograph of the proposed exhibit, preferably as it will be displayed. A scale drawing or sketch may be substituted if a photograph is not available. The dimensions of the space required should be indicated, as well as the manner in which the exhibit will be mounted or displayed.
3. Failure to provide completed form (and photograph or sketch for exhibit space) will result in a request not being approved.
REV 3/19/2015

APPENDIX A

CAPITOL AND GROUNDS EXHIBIT AND EVENT GUIDELINES

Page 9 of 9

REV 3/19/2015

Locations