Ritz Theatre to upgrade marquee, signage

TIFFIN, OH — The Architectural Board of Review has approved the first Sign Enhancement Grant in the amount of $1,000 for improvements to the marquee of The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St.

Ritz Theatre Executive Director Michael Strong said the grant will help alleviate the costs of restoring the signage of the historic theater. “It is imperative that we retain the historic nature of the theater even as we update technology in the lighting,” he said. “This grant helps make it more affordable to make the appropriate changes the right way.”

The Ritz Theatre is the first project approved for a Sign Enhancement Grant since it was implemented by the City of Tiffin at the beginning of 2018. The grant is a 50 percent reimbursement of expenses directly related to perpendicular signage on properties within the downtown target area, up to a maximum match of $1,000. The Ritz was awarded $1,000 to replace and upgrade the lighting of their sign, marquee and “downlight” to the long-life and cost-saving LED equivalents while retaining the vintage look of the signage.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented: “I am pleased to see The Ritz Theatre taking advantage of the program and I encourage any other downtown business looking to upgrade their signage to apply.”

The Sign Enhancement Grant is available through the end of 2018. For more information about the program, contact Downtown Manager Amy Reinhart at 419.619.5517 or [email protected].