During Phase I, the original sign was taken down, the marquee removed, and the front entrance was demoed. Phase II included restoration of the front entrance, installation of a new roof, reinforcement of exterior walls, removal of interior walls, and work on mechanical systems.

Phase III is currently underway and includes restoration of the lobby, restrooms, electrical infrastructure, and stage area. A fourth and final phase is also in development, which will include seating, A/V systems, and the application of finishing touches, thereby preparing the Ritz Theater to warmly receive the community.

“We could not be more excited about this team,” said museum chair, Mary Gay Shipley.  “This is not just any group.  These are highly touted professionals who are already engaged and captivated by our concept—absolute top-of-the-line pros.  We have every reason to believe these people will bring the dream to a beautiful and meaningful reality for our entire country.”

The National Cold War Museum is planned for construction on the former Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville.  Once known as Blytheville Air Force Base, the facility was a Strategic Air Command base throughout the Cold War.  Its “alert shack,” the compound that housed air crews while they awaited a call to nuclear warfare, is one of the only intact such facilities in the nation and will be a central exhibit of the museum.  “Perhaps a Cold War museum could be built anywhere,” said Shipley. “But here in Blytheville, when you visit the museum, you will be standing on a very real piece of Cold War history”.

Core & Shell Renovation:  Structural Upgrades | New Roofing System | HVAC & Electrical Upgrades | Balcony Upgrade

2^nd and 3^rd Collaborative Office Finish-Out

1^st Floor Restaurant / Bar Finish-Out

Foundation / Structural Repairs and Modifications

Exterior Masonry & Wood Restoration | Repair/Rehabilitation of Existing Windows | Re-Finishing of Wood Flooring

New Wet Fire Protection System, Underground Fire Main, Domestic Water Service and Domestic Booster Pump

New HVAC System (Make-Up Air Unit and VRF System), 1200 Amp Electrical Service and Life Safety Systems

Complete Site Hardscape / Landscape Re-Development (Designed by P. Allen Smith)

Exterior Historic Restoration Work
Interior Historic Lobby Restoration
New Entrance Lobbies & Entrance Canopies
New Circulation/Connection Corridor Addition
New Replica Windows
New Roofing
New Mechanical Systems
New Electrical Systems
Addition of New Elevator
Classrooms
Lecture Hall
Library Commons
Fine Arts
Counseling
Collaboration Spaces
Academic Support
Kitchen & Cafeteria
Outdoor Playground
Complete Site Redevelopment

The James Mitchell School is listed on the National Historic Register.

23,102 SF Renovation of the Historic Barnett Building in Batesville originally constructed in 1903.  It is being rehabilitated and re-purposed as a public library and gathering space with a total capacity of 650+ people.  The project includes new HVAC system, upgrading all life safety components (added fire stairs, egress pathways, lighting, etc.), structural work to create open space, and completely new modern finishes.

Some of the new spaces include:  Cafe’, Meeting Rooms, Computer Lab, Gathering Space, New Restrooms, Circulation Area (with 3-Form Desk and overhead hanging element), and Minor Exterior Work.

Work started in August 2017, and is expected to be complete in April 2018.