Downtown's chief booster is stepping down.
Indianapolis Downtown Inc. announced Thursday morning that President Tamara Zahn plans to leave her position by June. Zahn
was IDI's first president and has been in the post for 19 years.
IDI, a not-for-profit charged with marketing, managing and developing the downtown area, said Zahn would leave once a successor
is found. The group set a target date of June.
“This is a good time to make this change,” said Zahn in a prepared statement. “IDI has achieved significant accomplishments in the past 19 years, culminating in downtown’s peak performance on the world stage during Super Bowl 2012. We have a strong, experienced staff and an engaged board to keep things moving forward.” she said.
Zahn, 58, said she looks forward to taking a break from a "demanding schedule" and "evaluating opportunities that may capture my imagination."
IDI hired a national executive search firm, DHR International, to find a replacement. Jeff Fusile, senior vice president at WellPoint Inc. and a member of IDI’s executive committee, will lead the search committee.
“Tamara’s leadership has been unmatched and her focus on continuous improvement has resulted in downtown Indianapolis
being the envy of cities across the country,” Dennis Sponsel, president of RJE Business Interiors and IDI’s board
chairman, said in a prepared statement.
Prior to joining IDI, Zahn ran her own real estate consulting business, Zahn Associates, for 15 years.
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The best thing the Ballard administration can do is pull the plug on IDI and send them packing, while saving the taxpayers a ton of money.
In answer to an earlier comment regarding the need for IDI, I would say we need it as much today as we did 20 years ago. We have a huge investment, both public and private, in the downtown that will need constant attention if we are to maintain our competitive position and continue to provide a positive identity for central Indiana. Our economic future depends on the future health of "Center City".
The group is a public-private partnership that currently promotes Downtownâs retailers & the cities six cultural districts, defends the cities 50 year parking monopoly, dabbles in city planning & beautification projects, and most recently has taken on the management of the newly renovated Georgia Street.
But doesn't the tax subsidized Indianapolis Convention and Vistors Bureau (ICVA) do a great job promoting downtown retailers and hospitality industry?
Doesn't the tax subsidized Develop Indy, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Indiana Sports Corp, CIB, and Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce promote downtown economic development?
How much impact does this organization really have anymore?
Doesn't this organization just duplicate other public/private organizations efforts while taking in over $1 million in tax dollars a year, hoarding almost $8 million slush fund, and paying lavish salaries?
http://www.ogdenonpolitics.com/2009/06/taxpayers-spend-millions-to-subsidize.html