Changes

Since its 1981 reopening, the Saenger has become Pensacola's premier mid-size venue. It is the primary performance home of groups like 45 organizations including the [[Pensacola Symphony Orchestra]], [[Pensacola Opera]], [[Pensacola Children's Chorus]] and [[Ballet Pensacola]]. Managed by Philadelphia-based [[SMG]], the Saenger also hosts touring musicians, Broadway-style shows and other entertainers. Renovations in [[1996]] doubled the number of restrooms, increased the lobby and concession area, and added a ramp and elevator for accessibility.

The Saenger will close closed in mid-2007 for a comprehensive "Expansion and Renovation Project" that will enlarge the total area of the theater from 3833,000 514 to 6261,000 570 square feet. Some Designed by architect [[David Yorman]] of [[Caldwell Associates]], some of the planned renovations include:

*New, wider seats for the entire main floor. Growing from 18 inches to 23 inches, the total number of seats would be reduced from 1,805 802 to 1,600608.

When the renovation project was initially approved in February [[2005]], it was estimated to cost around $9 million: $6 million paid by the City of Pensacola's [[local option sales tax]], $2 million from [[Escambia County]], and the remainder from grants and private donations. In [[2007]], however, revised projections put the cost closer to $16 million. According to Capital Committee chairman [[Bill Greenhut]], owner of [[Greenhut Construction Company]] and community leader of the fundraising efforts, "Construction costs have gone up around 40 to 50 percent, and I can attest to that."<ref name="pnj032507">[http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/NEWS01/703250332/1006 "The show will go on] - [[." ''Pensacola News Journal]]'', March 25, 2007</ref> Due to the crisis local governments are facing with [[property tax]]es and [[property insurance|insurance]], combined with the [[2007 City of Pensacola budget adjustment|City of Pensacola's 2007 budget shortfall]], fundraisers were reluctant to ask for more public funding. However, Greenhut says, "If there's better news from the Legislature, we would like to go back to the City Council in April or May and ask for an additional sum of money."<ref name="pnj032507"/>

On The final performance at the Saenger before it closed for renovations was "Get Back! Cast of [[September 10Wikipedia:Beatlemania|Beatlemania]], " on [[2007June 30]]. At the time, the a ''[[Pensacola City CouncilNews Journal]]'s Committee of the Whole voted to provide an additional ' article disclosed that only about $6 8.75 million to the renovationshad been raised, and that about $900, borrowing 000 expected from state grants had fallen through in the funds from an outstanding capital improvement bondFlorida Legislature.<ref>"City to pony up for Saengerhas last hurrah before renovations." ''Pensacola News Journal,'', September 11June 30, 2007.</ref>

The final performance at the Saenger before it closed for renovations was "Get Back! Cast of On [[Wikipedia:Beatlemania|BeatlemaniaSeptember 10]]" on , [[June 302007]]. At , the time, a ''[[Pensacola News JournalCity Council]]'' article disclosed that only about s Committee of the Whole voted to provide an additional $8.75 6 million had been raisedto the renovations, and that about $900,000 expected borrowing the funds from state grants had fallen through in the Florida Legislaturean outstanding capital improvement bond.<ref>"City to pony up for Saenger has last hurrah before renovations." ''Pensacola News Journal,'' June 30, September 11, 2007.</ref> The total public commitments were $10 million from the city and $4 million from the county. The [[Friends of the Saenger]] organization is obligated to raise at least $1 million in private contributions. Donors of $1,000 or more will have their names engraved in one of the new seats.<ref>[https://www.friendsofthesaenger.com/ Friends of the Saenger website]</ref>

Due [[Image:SaengerRenovations-SouthDemo.jpg|thumb|right|Part of the Saenger's south side was demolished on March 13, 2008 to make way for the inability to get expansion]]Of the construction costs under $15 millionprojected cost, only $12.8 million was reserved for actual construction; the City of remainder will be used for furnishings and other expenses.<ref>"Bids for Saenger work to be opened Jan. 3." ''Pensacola dismissed News Journal'', December 19, 2007.</ref> Turner Construction Company as the Construction Manager at Risk and voted was unable to put deliver within the project out for bid for renovation budget, so the lowest responsible biddercity initiated a new bidding process. [[Dooley Mack Construction ]] of Sarasota, Florida was [[Santa Rosa Beach]] submitted the low bidder at lowest bid of $12.6 31 million dollars and was awarded the contract for — $300,000 less than the only other bidder, Pensacola-based [[Morette Construction]].<ref>"Walton County firm Saenger projectlow bidder." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 4, 2008. They received </ref> According to their notice to proceed on February 11contract, the theater must be renovated and reopened within 300 days, 2008and all work must be completed within 13 months.

An official groundbreaking ceremony was held on [[February 8]], [[2008]].<ref name="groundbreaking">"Ground-breaking draws Saenger supporters." ''Pensacola News Journal'', February 9, 2008.</ref> The theater is planned to reopen in early -[[2009]]. Many performing arts groups that use the Saenger as their primary venue have found alternative sites for the 2007-08 seasonintervening seasons. For example, the [[Pensacola Symphony Orchestra]] will hold held its 2007/08 "Masterworks" concerts at [[First Baptist Church]].