Duluth approves $1.26 million Red Clay Theatre renovation; DDA to contribute $450,000

Duluth’s Mayor and Council on Feb. 9 approved renovations to the Red Clay Theatre, awarding BG Construction Group a $998,860 construction contract and accepting $450,000 from the Downtown Development Authority toward a total project budget of $1,256,600.

City Manager James Riker told the Council the theater will remain open during renovations and outlined a project budget that includes contingency, bar equipment, additional lighting and LED signage. Funding sources approved by the Council are the DDA ($450,000), 2023 SPLOST Cultural Facilities ($190,000) and a $616,600 transfer from the General Fund.

The City also approved budget amendment BA‑FY26‑33 to record the revenue transfers and the related expenditures for professional services and site improvements. Councilmember Marline Thomas moved to award the construction contract; Councilmember Shenée Johnson‑Cummings seconded, and the motion carried on a unanimous vote of the Councilmembers recorded as voting for the motion.

The renovation scope described by staff includes seat, carpet, sound and lighting upgrades already completed, plus additional site and equipment work to improve patron experience and theater operations. The contract authorizes construction administration and a contingency; staff noted the theater’s basement previously was renovated to host a school of music.

Council approved authorization for the City Attorney to finalize the contract and for the budget amendment to be executed. The Council did not set a construction start date in the meeting minutes; staff will proceed with contract finalization and scheduling as described in procurement documents.

Provenance: topic introduced in SEG 008 and continued through SEG 009.