The Gazebo Gazette
BILOXI (GG) — Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich addressed the city council on the Saenger Theatre renovations Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and expressed completion of a major phase in restoration. During his report, Gilich said that important flooring and operational elements remain to be resolved, preventing the city from setting an opening date.
One primary flooring issue still to be addressed is the leveling of the auditorium floor in front of the stage, which Gilich described as a step for safe access and functionality. The completed space will allow for added use, such as a banquet area for events.
Another flooring issue is the carpet installation. The mayor explained that the city selected patterned carpet tiles as part of the interior finishing work to simplify maintenance and future repairs. While the large patterned tiles were not expected to align perfectly, the initial installation showed less attention to aligning the pattern seamlessly than anticipated.
After reviewing the work, the city requested adjustments to improve the tile alignment. Local installers have since completed the corrections in the lobby.
In addition to the flooring work, the theatre still requires upgrades to its audio and visual systems, as well as mechanical improvements in the flyer tower. The stage area has been equipped with an older fly system that used ropes and sandbags for counterweights for lifting and lowering backdrops, set pieces, and platforms during performances.
The mayor also said that the city must finalize a management plan for the Saenger. Securing a management group is tied to the $2 million grant from the Mississippi Development Authority, which requires a formal management structure in place. Gilich added that a final punch list will be reviewed over the next few weeks, along with assessments of the remaining funding needs and potential sources, before an opening date can be set.
Gilich, Jr. was elected mayor of Biloxi by special election in May 2015 and was elected to his first full term in June 2017. Fofo succeeded Biloxi’s longest-serving mayor, A.J. Holloway, and came into office promising to provide 21st-century solutions to help to solve Biloxi’s challenges and move the city forward.
The Saenger Theatre has been closed for several years as part of an extensive restoration effort aimed at preserving the historic venue while modernizing it for future use. City leaders say the theatre is expected to play a key role in downtown revitalization once it reopens, hosting concerts, performances, and community events.
Located in the downtown district, the Saenger Theatre is a large historic theater and meeting place that is host to numerous performing arts, groups, and city events.
The Saenger Theater, a New Classical Revival architecture style building, was constructed in July 1928 and opened in January 1929 with 1500 seats, 1,020 on the main floor, and 480 in the balcony, a stage, and dressing rooms. The theater was originally built to show “taking pictures” and was later used by large traveling shows and for vaudeville theater. The Saenger opened on Jan. 15, 1929, with a 2 p.m. showing of Paramount’s first all-talking movie, “Interference”.
The Saenger Theatre was designed by Roy Benjamin, an architect, and cost $200,000 to build. In 1975, ABC Theatres, the successor of the Saenger Amusement Company, sold the theater for $10 to the City of Biloxi.
(Inside Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)
