2006-64
NEWS RELEASE:  December 29, 2006
FROM:  Kansas 2007 Inaugural Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT:   Nicole Corcoran, Press Secretary  (785) 266-2118 // 554-4367
LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800

Attention Media Outlets Who Plan to Attend and Cover Inaugural Ceremony and/or Celebration

The Kansas 2007 Inaugural Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol are providing the following information and instructions for media outlets planning to attend and cover inaugural events scheduled on January 8, 2007, at the State Capitol and the Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th, in Topeka.

Members of the media wishing to attend inaugural events are being asked to register with the Capitol Police prior to January 5, 2007, by calling Capitol Police Security Chief Brenda Jones at (785) 368-8102. Early registration will ensure that media credentials can be produced and issued quickly on the day of the inaugural events.

• Media Credentials/Passes

Media credentials will be required for all individuals wishing to enter media staging areas and other controlled locations. Credentials issued to individuals will be used at both the Capitol and the Ramada Inn events. Members of the media who do not wish to obtain credentials are welcome to cover the events from areas open to the general public.

Media passes will be distributed from 7 a.m., until 10:30 a.m., on January 8th, at Capitol Police headquarters located on the first floor of the Docking State Office Building (see attached map.) For media representatives wishing only to cover the Inaugural Celebration at the Ramada Inn, credentials will be distributed at the east entrance of the Ramada Inn, 420 SE 6th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Members of the media will be required to show photo identification (driver's license or Kansas ID card) and proof of affiliation with a media outlet prior to being issued their media pass. For those who do not register before January 5th, credentials can be applied for and picked up at either credential distribution point. ** Please expect delays in obtaining credentials if you do not register early.

• Media Vehicle Access / Parking

On the day of the Inaugural Ceremony, 10th Street between Jackson and Harrison streets will be closed to the public between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Marked media support vehicles (Blazers, Cherokees, Explorers, etc.) will be allowed to park against the south curb along 10th Street between Jackson and Harrison streets. If these spaces fill up, passenger vehicles can use the middle of the street. These vehicles will need to enter the closed area at the 10th and Harrison barricade after 6 a.m. Drivers will need Inaugural media credentials to enter this area. While parking, please do not block crosswalks. No unmarked or personally-owned vehicles will be permitted in this area. ** All media vehicles must be moved from this parking area by 1 p.m., or they will be removed by authorities.

There will be limited media parking at the Ramada Inn festivities Monday evening.

• Remote / Satellite Trucks

Media outlets using remote / satellite trucks will be required to set up for the Inaugural Ceremony at the Capitol before 9 a.m., Monday, January 8th. Remote / satellite trucks will need to enter at the 10th and Jackson barricade and park along the north curb of 10th Street between Jackson and Harrison streets. While parking, please do not block crosswalks.

During the evening of the Inaugural Celebration, there will be limited space to park remote / satellite trucks used to cover celebration events. Please inform LT Eichkorn by January 5th if you're needing space for a remote / satellite truck at the Ramada. Drivers will be required to show media credentials before placing vehicles in this area.

If you have questions about these locations and procedures, please contact Nicole Corcoran or LT John Eichkorn.

Map of the Capitol Complex