By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
City council members unanimously approved funding for the start of the second phase in the rehabilitation of the city’s Paul Poag Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Council members took action on the theater rehabilitation during a recent meeting.
The council approved a resolution authorizing City Manager Shawna Burkhart to approve a contract in the amount of $246,425 with Able City, LP, for Phase 2 of the Paul Poag Theatre Rehabilitation Project.
After City Secretary Mari Acosta read the heading of the agenda item, Mayor Al Arreola called for a motion on the resolution. Councilman J.P. Sanchez made a motion to approve the resolution, and Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez gave the second.
Arreola noted there was a representative of Able City available to answer council questions.
Arreola asked if there were any questions from the dais, and Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. asked, “When are we going to get started?”
Ricardo Solis, Able City principal and architect, moved to the podium and told council members, “We have already started to move forward. I got some great news today. They found all of the components for the marquee, so we’re actually starting with that part.
“We’re already working with our structural engineers to start looking at that component, and I’m just here to answer any questions that anybody may have,” Solis added.
Arreola said, “Well, I don’t think they have any questions; all in favor, say, ‘Aye,’ so he can go ahead and start on the marquee tomorrow.”
“Why not right now?” Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus quipped.
The council then voted unanimously in favor of the motion, and Solis thanked them for their vote.
According to a memo provided to council members, the second phase of the theater rehabilitation “will include various professional services associated with development of the plans for the building.”
“Once the plans are completed, staff will obtain bidding documents from the firm, which will be used to obtain viable bids from vendors that may be interested in assisting the City of Del Rio with the rehabilitation of the theater. Once these bidding documents are ready, staff will submit a resolution for approval to authorize the advertising of the document,” City Purchasing Agent Luis Menchaca wrote in the memo.
In a letter to city officials, Able City architects said the second phase of the project will include “architectural and engineering services, design, preparation of plans, specifications and estimates and construction administration” for the renovation of the theater.
Able City architects had earlier told the city council bidding for actual construction work to renovate the Paul Poag could begin as early as August or September.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
