Ritz to benefit from grant

The Ritz Civic Center in Blytheville will be receiving some vital upgrades after being awarded the Arkansas Historic Preservation Grant on June 15.

Ritz Commission Chair Katie Gurley Thompson said with support from the city, opportunities to improve were made possible.

“The city has been very supportive of everything we’ve done and are trying to do here,” Thompson said. The city council, the mayor and parks and recreation director Cody spent a lot of time writing this grant, overseeing the deadlines and making sure we were in line for it. It’s definitely been a team effort.”

The renovations will be managed by Revival Architecture, who's also leading the charge on upgrades to the county courthouses.

After a constant battle with a worn down roof, executive director David Lyttle stated the grant will be a great benefit in solving this lingering problem among others.

“The roof on the one-story part of the building has been an issue keeping us from being able to do anything in that wing of the building. It’s been leaking for years. It’s been repaired many times and several attempts to make it work, but it has needed more than just touch up and repair,” Lyttle said.

“[Revival Architecture] also did a survey of the entire facility, tested for asbestos and looked at every inch of the place to determine from a historic preservation standpoint what all needed to be done.”

Thompson added, “They gave estimates for the repairs when they surveyed the building and the grant pays 75 percent, so we just have to come up with the other 25 percent.”

In a special council meeting on June 24, Wyatt confirmed that the grant was for a total of $114,470, leaving the city to cover the final quarter of the project at $57, 235.

Repairs to the restrooms will also be a priority with the grant, reversing the effects of old age and becoming compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Thompson believes that the advancements made with this grant, along with the progress already made in the lobby area, will play a huge role in increasing traffic into the Ritz and bringing new events.

“With the remodeling that we’ve already done, along with our grand reopening event, hopefully we’ll be able to improve the facility so people will want to come see it. Once we get the roof finished, we’ll be able to start on the dressing room, have more programs and get more people in here.”

One of those new events will be a Back to School talent show held Aug. 14. Two audition opportunities are set for June 23 and July 21 from 2-5 p.m.

Hosted by Deon Lamar, the showcase is looking to promote and encourage the youth in their talent of choice from musicians, poets, comedians, etc. Additionally, the Ritz will also be home to Arkansas Northeastern College’s theater camp in July.