City revokes State Theater temporary permits; owners and arts community ask council for three-month extension

Havre de Grace’s administration revoked temporary use-and-occupancy approvals for the State Theater after the city concluded required building and fire‑safety work remained incomplete, and the theater’s sprinkler system was not operable. Owners and dozens of supporters urged the city council during public comment on July 7 to grant a three‑month extension so the venue could finish the work and reopen.

The dispute centers on a sprinkler system that the city says cannot operate because the required four‑inch water meter has not been installed; the city reports it has held the meter in its DPW shop since January 2025 and that the theater operator has not requested delivery or hired the contractor to connect it. Christopher Ritchie, Havre de Grace director of administration, read letters to the council dated June 17 and July 2, 2025, saying the business applied for building permits in 2018, that the county and fire marshal required sprinkler protection after a 01/24/2020 inspection, and that, because the outstanding work remains undone, the city will not issue any further temporary use‑and‑occupancy permits for 325 Saint John Street.

The State Theater’s managers said they were blindsided by the meter issue and the additional costs involved and told the council and the audience they were close to finishing. Katie Ngo, who identified herself as representing the State Theater, said the venue and its partners had “hosted over 600 events, brought in tens of thousands of attendees each year,” and asked the council to “reconsider with a 3 month extension tonight.” Co‑owner Jared Noe said, “In 5 days, we raised…we've raised $20,000, guys,” and that organizers had near‑term…