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Restoration near finish at Biloxi’s Sanger Theater as council, residents press for quicker reopening
Summary
Council and staff reported near‑completion of the Sanger Theater restoration but acknowledged a problematic carpet installation and outstanding AV and stage punch‑list items. A local nonprofit, Encore Sanger, formally offered to serve as the theater’s manager and asked for access to prepare an operational proposal.
City staff told the Biloxi City Council that work to reopen the historic Sanger Theater is close to completion, but an unexpected installation issue with new carpet has drawn complaints and a promise to correct the work at no extra cost.
Staff showed photos and said the contractor delivered patterned 2x2 carpet tiles that were installed without the repeated pattern approved by archives and history review. "What we got installed was nowhere near that," one council member said; staff said local installers reworked the layout, and the city will withhold roughly $73,000 until remaining corrections are finalized and will offset corrective labor against the contractor’s bill.
Beyond carpet, staff presented a punch list: concrete polishing at the foyer, leveling at the front‑of‑house, motorized rigging and updated audio‑visual systems. Staff said roughly $200,000 remains budgeted for AV and performance equipment and that sponsorships and fundraising could add up to an additional $200,000 to $400,000 for higher‑end elements. Staff estimated the city could start booking acts in about 12 weeks and hoped to select a third‑party manager by June.
Several public commenters from a local nonprofit called Encore Sanger introduced themselves and urged a rapid transition to occupancy. "We are Encore Sanger," spokesman Matthew Marver said, presenting a nonprofit board and officers and asking for access to walk the building and prepare a practical, non‑speculative operations proposal. Technical director Rafe O’Neal and others described prior production experience and offered to help ready the theater's systems for performances.
Council and staff noted a prior requirement with the state archives and history that a third‑party manager be in place as part of the restoration agreement. Staff said they intend to present a selection recommendation to council within about 30 days and that contract length and termination terms will be negotiable; councilmembers emphasized avoiding overly long exclusive terms.
What’s next: staff will finalize corrective work on the carpet and the punch list, continue fundraising and AV procurement, and pursue a request‑for‑professional‑services process for a manager with a planned selection within approximately 30 days. The council will review any proposed management contract before execution.
