Restoration Progress: RPDA continues updates of upstairs, ballroom

The Ritzville Public Development Authority (RPDA) has been feverishly working to update the upstairs ballroom in the building that currenly houses Columbia Bank. The ballroom is the most recent in a large amount of renovations that have been completed on the building, which sits on the corner of Main Avenue and Columbia Street.

For the past two years, the RPDA board members have been offering tours of the upstairs portion of the building during the annual Historic Ritzville Days and Western Art Show event to help gain interest and create a discussion surrounding the potential purpose for the upstairs portion of the building.

The RPDA serves as a committee focused on bringing new businesses into the community and promoting economic development within the town. The most recent focus of the group has been the creation of a Business Park, in cooperation with the Ag Discovery Center.

Dennis Chamberlain has been involved with the RPDA for the past four years and has donated his time and expertise to help begin renovations on the ballroom. Chamberlain explained the major work in the ballroom has been repairing the ceiling and removing wallpaper.

Chamberlain first became involved with the RPDA after learning about the Ag Discovery Center project. For Chamberlain, becoming involved with the community group seemed like “the natural thing to do,” as he wanted to contribute to the development of the Ritzville area. Chamberlain has lived in Ritzville for the past five years, and has owned rental properties in the area for 14 years.

In 2008, the RPDA received a state grant to begin renovations and repairs to the upstairs portion of the building. The majority of funds were put towards replacing the roof, as it had begun to falter and cause water damage to the upstairs of the building.

Chamberlain explained the decision to replace the roof ultimately saved the building, as it now allows the entire second floor of the building to be repaired. The water damage had not yet become severe, and the RPDA group was able to preserve the original ceiling the ballroom.

The ballroom has an intricate, stamped ceiling and though the water had begun to damage a few of the tiles, the ceiling has now been restored to its former glory. With a paint donation from Ritzville Lumber, and volunteer hours from RPDA members and Chamberlain’s family, the ceiling has now been repaired to resemble the previous ceiling in the historic building.

After the completion of the ceiling, Chamberlain began working at scraping the paint off the ballroom walls. During the process, Chamberlain discovered murals and markings from the original artwork displayed on the walls.

The initial work on the ballroom leaves the RPDA with numerous other projects to complete before the upstairs portion of the building can become functional. While the second floor also has multiple rooms previously used as office spaces, the RPDA hopes to open the ballroom portion of the second story before the entire floor.

Chamberlain explained the opening of the ballroom is dependent on funding and finding volunteers to complete smaller tasks in the ballroom. During the summer months, the board has taken a brief hiatus from working on the building due to harvest and high temperatures.

The RPDA is also encouraging residents to bring forward ideas for potential use of the ballroom space. When completed, the ballroom has an estimated capacity of 150 with a small stage on the north end of the room. The projected and ultimate goal for the RPDA would also include an elevator and bathrooms in the upstairs portion of the building.

“We would pretty much do anything in order to benefit the town and business with this upstairs. But because we have this room, it becomes public use,” Chamberlain said. “That’s what it’s designed for and that’s what it’s going to be.”

“What we want from the public is input, what does the community want to do,” Chamberlain continued. “We’re open for suggestions, we really are.”

The RPDA board continues to apply for grants in hopes of receiving enough funding to complete the initial portion of the project. Grant money helped assist the RPDA with completing an electrical update to the entire building, as well as installing the proper electrical paneling for the potential inclusion of an elevator to the second floor of the facility.

The building currently hosts Columbia Bank, Environmental Engineering and Technology and the currently vacant “Ritzville Business and Community Center,” formally the Brunswick Tavern. The community center served as another grant funded project for the RPDA, who renovated the Main Avenue building in the hopes of providing a call center for local community members.

The remodeled downstairs office place has been vacant for many years, but currently serves as one of the buildings to host artists during the art show. The RPDA is looking for individuals interested in renting the space, which includes a large lobby or meeting area, office space and bathrooms.

Individuals interested in receiving a tour of the second floor and ballroom are asked to contact Chamberlain at 509-347-6425 or by email at [email protected]. The RPDA meets on the third Wednesday of every month at Ritzville City Hall.