Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum Executive Director Carol Alexander said the mayor’s final budget presentation was “very good.” “It was encouraging to the citizens and city workers. People have been dreading what the mayor’s budget was going to be, but it was positive and it was very, very well written.” The Ritz is part of the city and Alexander said the budget’s effect “depends on how the City Council receives it.” Alexander said the Ritz is “an anchor of culture and art.” In 1993, Council adopted Mayor Ed Austin’s River City Renaissance plan, which included $33 million to renovate the historic LaVilla and Brooklyn areas. Groundbreaking for the $4.2 million theater and museum took place in 1998 and the building was completed and opened in 1999.
