NATCHEZ — With no roof and barely consisting of more than walls, the improvements on the faade of the Ritz Theater may not be immediately noticeable — but they are there.

Newly installed thin strips of neon lights run up the top of the building and new sheet metal has been put on the marquee.

The work, which should be completed by fall, is a collaborative effort between the Historic Natchez Foundation and two local companies.

The foundation’s director of programs, Mimi Miller, said the most recent work is meant to improve the exterior appearance of the building — and hopefully make it more attractive to potential buyers.

“Historic Natchez Foundation wants to preserve the faade,” Miller said.

Miller said the Ritz is the best example of Art Deco architecture in the city.

In the not so distant future Miller said she would like to be able to use the neon lights, currently being installed to show off the building’s exterior.

The building currently has no electricity and Miller said she would have to collaborate with the city to find a way to power the building.

Southern Signs Inc. of Natchez has been hired to install the new lighting and the company’s owner Glen Wisner said work on buildings as old as the Ritz is not always easy.

The building was constructed in 1869 and was last used as a theater in the 1960s.

But Wisner said while the work comes with challenges, he enjoys restoration projects like the Ritz.

“If it can be salvaged, I like to use it,” he said.

Wisner said one challenge in working on the Ritz’s neon has been getting the new work to match the old work as closely as possible.

“It’s almost impossible to be exact,” he said. “But we’re trying to get it as close as possible.”

Another problem Wisner has encountered is finding a spot to hide the neon’s transistors within the marquee to keep them safe from the weather.

Wisner also said one last element of the installation will simply have to wait for cooler weather.

The protruding section of the marquee that displays the theater’s name is essentially a hollow metal tube Wisner said. To install the lettering workers need to be on the inside of the tube.

“We can’t work in there right now,” he said.

Richard Edgin Jr., owner of Edgin Construction Co., is doing most of the exterior work including helping to restore the old ticket booth and install new glass on the marquee.

And while Miller is currently focused on getting the exterior of the building restored, the next owner will have an extensive restoration project.

In 2000 the building’s roof collapsed, with no protection from the elements the floor then rotted, then it collapsed and fell into the basement.

The interior of the building has since been cleared and is now only a shell — but a shell with tremendous potential Miller said.

“It’s a great space,” she said.

Miller said the foundation also wants the public’s input on what types of uses the building could be developed for.

The foundation has currently spent slightly more that $100,000 on the building.

The Natchez Downtown Development Association is planning to help out.

NDDA director Carrie Lambert said there is a plan in the works to donate a portion of proceeds from ongoing outdoor movie nights to the HNF for the Ritz’s expenses.

The next movie night is Aug. 2.