Urban Districts Alliance: Director Compere announces Sept. 30 resignation

|tab|

Urban Districts Alliance Executive Director Bill Compere announced his resignation earlier this month, telling UDA board members and family at a press conference that Sept. 30 will be his last day.|ret||ret||tab|

"I believe in the Bible when it says there is a time for everything," Compere said at the conference. "Now is the time for me to leave."|ret||ret||tab|

A search committee of eight UDA board members has been established, but neither a timeline nor a detailed job description is known yet. Jan Horton leads the committee.|ret||ret||tab|

"This (executive director) position deals with a multitude of constituencies," said Board President Rusty Worley. "As such, (candidates) need to be able to work with property owners, with residents, with city officials, with financial institutions (and) community representatives for the direction of center city. Their role as coordinator is key."|ret||ret||tab|

Compere, a cancer survivor, said his relatively quick decision is not due to health reasons; he simply felt it was time for a new challenge. A CPA by trade, Compere said he will not retire but does not know what he will do next.|ret||ret||tab|

During Compere's three-year tenure UDA has:|ret||ret||tab|

served as catalyst for $100 million in public and private investment in center city;|ret||ret||tab|

advocated formation of the voter-approved Community Improvement District and managed its activities and $200,000 annual budget;|ret||ret||tab|

facilitated streetscape projects in downtown, Walnut Street and Commercial Street, totaling about $1.5 million;|ret||ret||tab|

assisted the city in creating more than 150 new parking spaces downtown;|ret||ret||tab|

assisted the city in its faade loan program that has provided more than $800,000 in loans for 35 projects; and|ret||ret||tab|

assisted Springfield Finance and Development Corp. in providing more than $400,000 in gap financing for center-city investment.|ret||ret||tab|

"He has provided pivotal leadership in making each of these accomplishments a reality," said Worley.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's certainly been a group effort," Compere added, citing his staff and the board as integral parts. "Things are better downtown than they were when I came, and I feel like I have something to do with that positive change. I just want things to keep going in that direction." |ret||ret||tab|

Compere, director since 2000, is the second director for downtown's umbrella organization, which manages several downtown activities, including Community Improvement District services, Springfield Regional Arts Council events and Springfield Finance & Development Corporation administration. |ret||ret||tab|

UDA was established in 1997. UDA's staff of three will remain, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Compere said he will continue to support downtown, though he's not sure in what form.|ret||ret||tab|

"I have been a longtime supporter of downtown," Compere said. "A lot of things have happened in center city the last three years. I fully expect to see positive things continue down here."|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]