Downtown Improvement District interim executive director ready to get started

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Former Allen County Commissioner Bill Brown said he's excited to get started as the new interim executive director for the Downtown Improvement District.

"We've got momentum downtown," Brown said. "I'm really happy to use my background and experience to continue to develop and grow downtown Fort Wayne."

At a special meeting Thursday , the DID's board of directors accepted a letter of resignation from current executive director Rich Davis, effective Friday. Davis had held the position since 2008.

"Rich has served well here in Fort Wayne," Mitch Harper, a Fort Wayne city councilman and a member of the DID's board of directors, said. "About a year ago the board stated the process of looking at what the next skill set for a director would be."

The board then approved Brown to be the interim executive director while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

"The general board felt if there's an opening it's important to the community that there are applications invited from a wide range of people and see who's interested in Fort Wayne," Harper said. "I think it will generate more discussion about where the Downtown Improvement District is headed and more of people's wishes for downtown and that's going to help the next director, whether that's Bill or someone else."

Brown had applied for the job in 2005 and then became commissioner. He served on the DID's board for four years. Brown said he was approached by leadership on the board for the job now.

"I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't say I'd much rather just be the permanent director, but as interim, that's half a loaf and I'm fine with that. I'll just become the obvious choice. That's my goal," Brown said.

But Brown said he doesn't plan to let the interim title stop him from hitting the ground running.

"In the first few days and weeks I'll be conversing with all the board members to see what they think is working and what they think needs to be improved, understanding where the staff is and what they're doing and making sure everyone has what they need to be successful in their job, and then I'll be on the street and in buildings talking to as many businesses and employees downtown as I can," Brown said. 

A key word to Brown's plan to revitalize downtown is participation.

"If people want a vibrant downtown, participate Make it vibrant. When people start talking to other people saying we need a vibrant downtown, well, show up. A theme of participation is what you'll hear me talking a lot about," he said.

So how does the DID get people to participate?

"Creating interest in what people like to do. The other key thing is understanding what people want to do," Brown said.

Brown is running on the GOP ticket for Allen County Council in November. Brown said that wouldn't be a conflict with his new position at the DID. Council is a part-time job, but it funds the DID. Brown said if elected he would abstain from voting on the budget to avoid a conflict of interest.