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Resolution Approving the Renovations at Thalian Hall and to Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement for the City's Portion of the Project
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Department: |
City Manager |
Meeting Date: |
9/22/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Mary Vigue |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
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Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. for the city’s portion of the proposed renovations and to authorize the overall project on a city-owned facility.
BACKGROUND:
Since its construction in 1855-1858, the City Hall/Thalian Hall building has had the unusual distinction of serving as both the area's political and cultural center. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, Thalian Hall is the only surviving theatre designed by John Montague Trimble, one of America's foremost 19th-century theatre architects. It was built at a time when Wilmington was the largest city in the state. The new building housed the town government, the library, as well as an "Opera House", seating 1,000 people, which was 10% of the population of the town.
Thalian Hall has gone through many renovations throughout its history including a $5 million renovation funded through voter approved bonds and a capital campaign in the 1980’s. Over the past 10 years, the city has made some other improvements including HVAC and skylight replacement funded through ARPA funding.
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts is currently conducting a capital campaign to fund needed renovations at Thalian Hall. These renovations include improvements to entrances, accessibility features, a re-designed lobby, an education and workforce training center, additional performance spaces, and overall building and façade improvements. While Thalian Hall is under renovation, there are several building improvements that the city needs to invest in and update. These include fire suppression for the building, elevator replacement, Princess Street Portico restoration and Third Street Portico improvements. These capital items are in line with the city’s obligation to maintain Thalian Hall and incorporating these projects within the overall renovation project will create overall savings and efficiencies.
Staff currently estimates the city’s portion of these projects to be an amount not to exceed $3.5 million. The city will reimburse Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. for actual completed work. There is currently some available capital funding available in the Public Facilities Project Fund. The remaining funding will be financed through the debt service fund. The largest expense associated with the city’s portion is fire suppression and the Princess Street Portico. These two projects are estimated at $2.5 million and are needed safety improvements.
Below is a cost estimate for the various projects:
• Fire Suppression- $1,900,000
• Princess Street Portico- $700,000
• Elevator Replacement- $450,000
• 3rd Street Portico Improvements (Safety/Stormwater)- $450,000
Design & Construction staff along with Asset & Property Management will be working with Thalian staff to monitor the project and ensure work is completed and in accordance with city standards.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
The city’s portion of the proposed improvements is estimated at an amount not to exceed $3.5 million. Staff has identified funding in the Public Facilities Project Fund and will fund the remaining portion through the debt service fund.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff is requesting that City Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., for improvements at Thalian Hall. The resolution also authorizes the overall improvements at the city-owned Thalian Hall.