Thursday, June 22, 2006

Heath Hired for Ritz Project

Former Frostproof official will try to jump-start the theater restoration.

by Donna Kelly
The Ledger

WINTER HAVEN -- Members of the Ritz Theatre 100 hope that Stella Heath will provide the same motivation for the renovation of the Ritz as she did for Frostproof's Ramon Theater.

Heath, who many credit with providing momentum for the Ramon Theater renovation, was recently hired as a consultant to jump-start the lagging Ritz project that began in 1996 when a group of individuals joined to buy and restore the old theater.

"She's a real guiding force because not only has she done this before in Frostproof, but she speaks the language from grant methodology to the building and the codes," said Ritz 100 President Marci Dershimer.

"She knows how to communicate with construction companies and architects," Dershimer said. "She technically already knows more than I do after 10 years."

Heath has agreed to serve as consultant for 90 days. During that time she will be responsible for completion of the 2006 Historical Preservation Grant Application, instituting a public relations plan, updating membership lists, compiling a database of donors, corresponding weekly with board members by e-mail and attending monthly board meetings at the Ritz Theatre.

"Basically we are setting up an official office for the Ritz Theatre housed in the Ritz Theatre," Heath said.

"Now, we have to get into the regular day-to-day basics of a nonprofit organization," she said. "It will be organized and ready for someone to walk in there in six months."

She will also be a contact person for the project's engineers, architects and construction company.

Heath will work out of the office of Main Street Winter Haven, which is inside the Ritz building. She will work a 20-hour week with one day spent in the office and the balance of time used for promoting the project.

Heath's first day as consultant was Monday. Whether she continues in this capacity will be determined at the end of the

90 days. "Being a Polk Countian for 40 years, I've watched the Ritz from its heyday to when it turned into its current state," Heath said. "The desire has always been for this project to reach fruition."

Heath and her husband, Bill, have made donations to the Ritz over the past several years.

With Dershimer's help, Heath has already completed and mailed the paperwork for the special category grant through the Bureau of Historic Preservation for Phase III of the theater's renovation.

The $350,000 matching grant will, along with donated funds, allow:

• Preserving and sealing the exterior building.

• Restoring the lobby entrance and ticket booth.

• Installing life safety upgrades, including installing a fire sprinkler system, exit lighting and handicap lift.

• Installing three complete air conditioning systems.

• Upgrading the electrical system.

• Renovating bathrooms, concession and multipurpose work room.

• Completing the balcony and west store front.

Donna Sheehan, public information officer for the city of Winter Haven, said $250,000 of the $350,000 needed for the matching funds will be on the Community Redevelopment Agency budget for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

Heath brings experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to her new position, said Frostproof Councilwoman Kay Hutzelman, who worked with Heath on the Ramon Theater restoration.

"Stella was instrumental in getting the grants for the Ramon," Hutzelman said. "She knows what the Preservation Committee wants."

Heath was involved in the entire process of renovating the Ramon Theater from the initial feasibility study and purchase of the property by the Frostproof Chamber of Commerce to writing $750,000 worth of grants between 2003 and 2006, and Phase One of the renovations, which involved securing the outside of the building.

"Stella is enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated," Hutzelman said.

Heath was an employee of the city of Frostproof for more than five years, serving as assistant to the city manager, interim city manager and assistant city manager until the position was eliminated in September 2005. She was also the director of the Chamber of Commerce until she resigned in December.

She is serving as a part-time consultant to the Florida Midland Railroad.

For more information on the Ritz Theatre, call Heath at 863295-9900.