FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
COSI: Kelli Gaza Nowinsky – 614.629.3114; KNowinsky@mail.cosi.org
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves
$500,000 for COSI
Columbus, Ohio –The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $500,000 at its quarterly meeting today for an energy efficiency project at COSI.
COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, will implement an energy efficiency plan to reduce energy consumption throughout the building. The plan resulted from a 2008 energy audit of the building conducted by Fuller & Associates. The current project involves the repair and replacement of HVAC components, including replacing constant volume control boxes with variable control boxes. This change alone is estimated by the consultants to achieve savings of $105,000 per year. Implementing all of the consultant’s recommendations is estimated to save in excess of $140,000 per year. No-cost, operational recommendations have already been implemented at the museum.
COSI brings science to life through more than 300 interactive experiences, world-class exhibitions, the 7-story Extreme Screen Theater, and a special area for young explorers from birth through kindergarten. Created in 1964, COSI has served more than 25 million people.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows COSI to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly. Franklin County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senators David Goodman, Jim Hughes and Ray Miller; Representatives Kevin Bacon, Ted Celeste, Tracy Maxwell Heard and Dan Stewart; former Senator Steve Stivers; and former Representatives Joyce Beatty, Larry Flowers, Jim McGregor and Larry Wolpert.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that supports economic development, expands educational opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
