Convention Hall to stay open through summer
Madison Marquette still undecided on final installation of sprinklers
The city’s most famous historical landmark will remain open through the summer thanks to a new agreement between the city and boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.
The city council voted 4-0 on Wednesday night to approve the plan, which extends a deadline for Madison Marquette to submit plans for a sprinkler system now required by state fire codes. A consent order required Madison Marquette to submit the plans by May 1. Now, the city has agreed to extend that deadline to June 15. After the plans are submitted, Madison Marquette will have more time to decide whether they wish to install the sprinklers.
The city invoked a force majeur — or act of God — clause to approve the extension, as much of the boardwalk was damaged in Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The force majeur clause allows a 45-day delay.
“What that does is allow the facility to stay open,” said city manager Terence Reidy at Wednesday’s council meeting. This includes the Paramount Theater, the Grand Arcade walkway and shops and the arena section of the building, Reidy said.
A dispute over issues concerning parking in the waterfront redevelopment zone still has not been resolved. Madison Marquette owns and operates Convention Hall, and their representatives have said a loss of control over three surface parking lots may require them to scale down investment in the waterfront area. This could include fewer entertainment offerings at Convention Hall.
While Madison Marquette considers installing the sprinklers, city fire officials will be at events to ensure safety during the summer, Reidy said.
Madison Marquette says the consent order allows it to shut down the building if it is determined that it is not economically feasible to install the sprinklers, according to Madison Marquette senior vice president Anselm Fusco.
Councilman Kevin Sanders was not present. Voting in favor of the resolution approving the extension were council members James Bruno, John Loffredo, Ed Johnson and Susan Henderson.
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