'The Ritz is alive': Restoration for historic theater is on track towards completion
Downtown Corpus Christi's historic Ritz Theatre is one step closer to restoration.
Over the summer of 2023, the board of directors for CCPATCH, Corpus Christi Positive Action Toward Cultural Heritage, began working with the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation (CCREDC) to apply for a grant to help match the "Harvey Grant" from the National Parks Service and Texas Historical Commission worth $230,000.
In an email Wednesday, the Ritz Theatre announced its thanks to CCREDC, the Type B Corporation, Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo and the Corpus Christi City Council for the approval of the grant.
The purpose of the Type B Incentive Fund is to provide funds for economic development, specifically the promotion and development of new and expanded business enterprise. The fund consists of .125% of Corpus Christi's sales tax, which is administered by the Type B Board.
CCPATCH Executive Director Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios said by receiving the grant, they are able to leverage funds doubling what the theater received from the National Park Service and Texas Historical Commission.
"Every step of the way, we received a unanimous vote to receive these funds," Votzmeyer-Rios said. "We have had such great support from the city of Corpus Christi, the City Council and our community. The rehabilitation of the Ritz Theatre is a game changer not only for downtown but for all of Corpus Christi."
The timeline on the theater's restoration completion hasn't quite changed, Votzmeyer-Rios said, but she feels the project is right on time. In 2023, CCPATCH raised more than $650,000.
So far, Stoddard Enterprises LLC, a Texas based company that has experience working with the Texas Historical Commission, will be working on exterior repairs including sealing cracks and making the building watertight. The company should complete its work in March 2024.
Votzmeyer-Rios said the entirety of downtown Corpus Christi is amid revitalization and that the Ritz Theatre will "only add to the authenticity of our city and our unique part of the Coastal Bend Region."
The next community event for the theater will take place at 6:30 p.m. at BUS Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Susan Palmer, the principal of Palmer Westport Group, a nonprofit consulting services for fundraising, project management, strategic planning, board development and marketing, will hold a Q&A for the community to hear and learn about the restoration.
Votzmeyer-Rios said it would be "one final push" for the Ritz Theatre's Founder's Circle membership. The Founder’s Circle is a group, honoring those willing to be the first to invest in the future of the Ritz Theatre.
She said she and the CCPATCH's board of directors are excited to be part of the restoration and revitalization of the Ritz Theatre.
"The Ritz is alive and we can’t wait for the doors to open," Votzmeyer-Rios said.
To keep up to date with the rehabilitation, visit ccritz.com.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: CCPATCH's Votzmeyer-Rios provides update to Ritz Theatre restoration
