USA International Ballet Competition

Feasibility studies to outline improvements needed to upgrade Thalia Mara Hall

By Anthony Warren

JACKSON CITY officials will soon have a road map on how to improve an artistic landmark in downtown Jackson.

Plans are still in the works to make some much-needed upgrades to Thalia Mara Hall, but officials are awaiting the findings from two feasibility studies to determine how best to carry out those plans.

“We expect the results any day now,” said Director of Human and Cultural Services Michael Raff. “These studies will help  us ensure that Thalia Mara will be a home for great performances for another 44 years.”

Rob Farr, a principal with Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons, is conducting an engineering and architectural assessment of the 44-year-old performance hall to find out what exactly needs to be done in terms of making improvements.

Farr, a member of the International Ballet Competition (IBC) board of directors, is providing his services free of charge. The competition is held at the 2,400-seat auditorium every four years.

An economic impact study is being conducted by Brailsford and Dunlavey, a firm based in Washington, D.C.

On January 24, the Jackson City Council voted to pay the group $15,000 to conduct the assessment.

Raff said the studies will be used to help raise money for the hall’s improvements, which are estimated to be around $9 million.

City officials are working alongside Northsiders and members of the business community to raise those funds and make the upgrades by 2014, when IBC returns to the capital city.

The Sun reported previously that IBC Chairman Haley Fisackerly is putting together a group of private business leaders, city officials and members of the downtown arts commission to raise the funds.

“The city has a lot of challenges in funding priorities and we recognize that,” Fisackerly said in an earlier interview. “The city makes improvements to Thalia Mara in increments. What we would like to (do) is bring people together and see if we can get everything done at once.”

Raff outlined several needs for the aging facility, including new air conditioning, accessibility upgrades and aesthetic enhancements.

In recent years, Jackson has spent about $3.5 million on Thalia Mara renovations, including adding a new roof, sound system and exterior lighting. The city has also updated the facility’s orchestra shell, green room, loading dock and made rigging repairs.

For fiscal year 2012, the city is planning to spend another $530,000 on new stage lights, a new dimmer package, new exterior railings and new curtains.
By
Anthony Warren

JACKSON CITY officials will soon have a road map on how to improve an artistic landmark in downtown Jackson.

Plans are still in the works to make some much-needed upgrades to Thalia Mara Hall, but officials are awaiting the findings from two feasibility studies to determine how best to carry out those plans.

“We expect the results any day now,” said Director of Human and Cultural Services Michael Raff. “These studies will help  us ensure that Thalia Mara will be a home for great performances for another 44 years.”

Rob Farr, a principal with Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons, is conducting an engineering and architectural assessment of the 44-year-old performance hall to find out what exactly needs to be done in terms of making improvements.

Farr, a member of the International Ballet Competition (IBC) board of directors, is providing his services free of charge. The competition is held at the 2,400-seat auditorium every four years.

An economic impact study is being conducted by Brailsford and Dunlavey, a firm based in Washington, D.C.

On January 24, the Jackson City Council voted to pay the group $15,000 to conduct the assessment.

Raff said the studies will be used to help raise money for the hall’s improvements, which are estimated to be around $9 million.

City officials are working alongside Northsiders and members of the business community to raise those funds and make the upgrades by 2014, when IBC returns to the capital city.

The Sun reported previously that IBC Chairman Haley Fisackerly is putting together a group of private business leaders, city officials and members of the downtown arts commission to raise the funds.

“The city has a lot of challenges in funding priorities and we recognize that,” Fisackerly said in an earlier interview. “The city makes improvements to Thalia Mara in increments. What we would like to (do) is bring people together and see if we can get everything done at once.”

Raff outlined several needs for the aging facility, including new air conditioning, accessibility upgrades and aesthetic enhancements.

In recent years, Jackson has spent about $3.5 million on Thalia Mara renovations, including adding a new roof, sound system and exterior lighting. The city has also updated the facility’s orchestra shell, green room, loading dock and made rigging repairs.

For fiscal year 2012, the city is planning to spend another $530,000 on new stage lights, a new dimmer package, new exterior railings and new curtains.