On his last day, Jackson Chokve Mayor Antar Lumumba announced that Waist Mara Hall has officially opened again.
Standing in front of the front doors of Mara Hall, Lumumba stepped to the podium for one last press conference on Monday – a tradition that he held after taking office.
“We stand here excited, here at the end of our administration to open Waist Mara Hall again,” Lumumba said. “Today, it marks what we look at as a moment in a full circle, enjoying the emblematic space where the community has been gathering for decades in Jackson. Thalia Mara has always been more than a place, it was a place to gather people in Jackson.”
Mayor Chokve Antar Lumumba laughs during the last press conference of his term in front of Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The location in the center closed in August 2024 after a faulty HVAC caused mold. Since then, he has been confronted with a series of failures and complications – including potential asbestos, problems with the fire curtain, vandalism from impeccable individuals and a failed check of the Mississippi Fire Marshall – all of which have delayed its re -opening. Nearly $ 3 million has been spent on repairs after closing, according to a Clarion Ledger report in March, although this number may have increased since then.
Now, almost 10 months until the day after its closure, Lumumba has announced that all the necessary checks have passed. Inside were invited to see the progress. There are no leaks, vandalism or visible mildew.
Only two repairs need to be carried out, but Lumumba and Amad Al Turk, director of urban public affairs in the city, said they would not prevent the place from opening or hosting events.
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The first repair involves reinstallation of the fire curtain, which requires the removal of the beam from which it hangs due to the presence of asbestos. Al Turk said the work should take about a week. The second is the installation of a second air conditioning closet, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026. Al Turk said it would take 14 to 16 weeks to arrive the unit, contributing to the delay.
The Lumumba message follows a subsequent check on June 3 of the State Fire Marshal service, which determined that Talia Mara meets the opening standards, according to the State Fire Marshal and the insurance Commissioner Mike Cheney.
“We hope for the future of this audience that it can be able to provide a more up-to-date experience for residents by inviting shows that people can see around the world by bringing them to Jackson,” Lumumba said.
It is unclear if any events are scheduled in Waist Mara. No one is currently on the website of the place.
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After talking about Waist Mara, Lumumba invited his wife Eboos to stand by him and open the floor to questions – most of which focused on his time as mayor, what he was proud of and his plans for the future.
“Since this is my last press conference, I just want to end it with an expression of gratitude,” Lumumba said. “I am grateful to the residents of Jackson for giving me the professional honor to serve you. I enjoyed the service, not necessarily at any moment, but grateful for the opportunity to try to incorporate our city in a better place. Moving in Jackson in the 1988 was the best decision that my parents ever found. Jackson than my own blood relatives. “
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Lumumba thanked his wife, his executive administration and the residents for the last eight years in which he served his post. Mayor John Horn, who defeated Lumumba in the democratic expiration on April 22, will take office on Tuesday, July 1st. Lumumba has announced that it will not be present during the taking office due to a previous commitment.
Lumumba said it would return to law practice as well as in consulting work. He said there were no plans to run for mayor again.
“I love Jackson, I will always love Jackson. I’m grateful again for the opportunity to serve the city,” Lumumba said.
COCT: Mary Boet, Clarion Ledger
Contact Charlie Drape at cdrape@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Thalia Mara Hall opens again when Lumumba ends her time as mayor of Jackson MS