B&B Theatres’ new downtown cinema is scheduled to host its first event Thursday night. However, before that can occur the new facility must first receive passing grades during inspections conducted by the Hannibal Fire Department, Marion County health department and city building inspector.
While the situation may seem to have the potential for Hollywood-like drama, such is actually not the case. Dennis McIntire, B&B’s director of strategic planning, said Wednesday morning that he anticipates the new $4 million-plus facility will have no trouble meeting the various guidelines. His sentiments were echoed by representatives from each of the departments.
“They’ve been working like mad, but they still had some work to be finalized,” said Connie Quinn, assistant building inspector. “They’ve done everything to a T.”
“They still had a little bit to do (Tuesday),” said Frank Lemongelli, an environmental public health specialist with the health department. “From the way everything looks it’s not going to be a problem passing. They’re doing everything exactly the way they need to be doing it. They’ve been more than cooperative and really up front in wanting to know what we needed.”
“So far what we’ve looked at, everything has been fine. There were no problems or anything that had to be addressed,” said John Baker of the HFD. “Everything looked like it was fine, but they weren’t at the point where we could actually do a final inspection yet because they were still doing some work.”
Baker noted that not only will the new eight-screen cinema be state-of-the-art in terms of its digital capabilities, it also will be in regard to its alarm system.
“It’s a fully sprinkled building. That’s certainly a plus,” he said. “They’ve got the fire alarms with the audible and the visual alarm enunciators. The alarm system is actually designed to where if they do have alarm activation it shuts the projectors down and the house lights come up.”
After past visits to the new theater, Baker, Quinn and Lemongelli all left impressed.
“It’s going to be neat. It’s not like the Fox Theater, real ornate and all that, but it’s going to be really, really nice. I think it’s going to be a great thing for the downtown,” said Baker.
“It’s a beautiful theater,” said Quinn. “People should be impressed.”
“I think it is going to be neat,” said Lemongelli. “I think my wife is going to love it. She loves going to the movie, but wasn’t exactly thrilled with the seating at the other one. She’s looking forward to it.”
