To Whom It May Concern:
Dale Partners recently worked with Blackline on the historic restoration of the exterior shell and structural stabilization of the fly tower of the Saenger Theatre in Biloxi, MS. The project consisted of many challenges, all of which had high degrees of difficulty. Blackline’s proactive leadership combined with their disciplined organization and propensity to identify and solve problems contributed greatly to the success of the project.
The Biloxi Saenger is a nearly 100-year-old historic landmark that has a long and rich history with the City of Biloxi. Dale Partners, with the help of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates as a structural and historical consultant, coordinated closely with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to create a design that not only restored the original aesthetic and material attributes of the building, but also used modern materials to repair the structural damage to the fly tower and auditorium roof. As one would expect, this was a daunting task given the deteriorated conditions of the building and the uncertainty of what would be uncovered during construction. The project needed a detailed and thoughtful general contractor to execute the design as intended, and we got exactly that with Blackline.
Blackline’s team members, from leadership to field personnel, were always available and helped push the project to completion by offering solutions to construction and design problems, and by actively pursuing feedback from their subcontractors. They provided much closer insight into project progression than is typical for the industry, and they consistently established expectations that they then delivered on. They are transparent and accountable at all levels and proved to be an invaluable partner in this important project. They were genuinely aware of the community value of this project and truly respected the challenging historic requirements. Dale Partners recommends Blackline without reservation, and we look forward to the next opportunity to work with them.
Sincerely,
Leigh G. Jaunsen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Managing Partner
Dale Partners Architects, P.A.