Additional building to be constructed as part of Ritz Theatre restoration

As part of the restoration of the Ritz Theatre in downtown Corpus Christi, an additional building will be constructed in the empty lot next to the building.

At a recent community meeting at the Frost Bank on Shoreline Boulevard, various local organizations voiced their concerns, questioned updates and received an inside look at the renovation project for the nearly 100-year-old theater.

The organizations, which included Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Ballet and several others, were invited as the Ritz Theatre will not only be a performance arena for plays, musicians, dance troupes and live entertainment, but also a learning facility for students to be educated in the arts.

In the meeting led by OTJ Architects, the firm leading the restoration, and Susan Palmer, capital campaign manager of the theater, community members learned that new additions to the Ritz will include an elevator, more bathrooms on multiple levels, an expanded lobby, a cafe, dressing rooms, a multipurpose black box and more.

OTJ Senior Principal Gary Martinez and Principal John Easterling said the renderings shown are just concepts.

"We're going to be having discussion about the building, and it's almost going to feel like the building is already done, but it's not," Martinez said before the engagement started. "In fact, we haven't even really started."

Easterling said concept design work was done, but designs for the project have not started.

As the Ritz is deemed a historical landmark, it can only be renovated — not changed.

"We will have maximum flexibility in the new part of the building, but the historic part is going to be as close to what it was when it first opened," Martinez said. "We have to remember it's about an experience, not just a show."

Palmer said she has worked on multiple projects similar to the Ritz restoration across the nation, and she has seen how it becomes a transformational impact to communities.

"It becomes a cultural gathering place," Palmer said. "It's what's going to happen to your community when you put this building back into service. The surprise will be profound."

While stakeholders were eager about extensions to the building, some expressed concerns about parking for the 925-seat theater.

"We think parking is not going to be terribly hard for people to find," Easterling said. "It would be wonderful if the city, or another developer, developed a parking garage or something similar in the nearby area. But we don't envision parking to be provided on this site as part of this project."

Palmer said parking is a known need with the restoration, and project leaders will meet with the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation on Thursday.

"We've identified 900 parking spaces with public parking within two to three blocks of the Ritz," Palmer said. "We know the importance of it, and the city knows the importance of it."

As for a timeline to completion, that is still three to five years away.

Palmer said once officials raise around $50 million — the current working amount — then designing and construction can start. She said the process of fundraising could take about two to three years.

But Easterling said once they receive a certain amount in fundraising, designs will take about 16 to 18 months. Then construction will begin and last about 18 to 20 months.

RELATED COVERAGE

More: 'The Ritz is alive': Restoration for historic theater is on track towards completion

More: Here's how historic The Ritz Theatre may be revived

John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva .

Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times .

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Additional building to be constructed as part of Ritz Theatre restoration