JAMESTOWN – Some changes are taking place in the way two local organizations help to promote and develop the Jamestown area. According to a media release sent out yesterday afternoon by the Jamestown Renaissance Corp., that agency is combing resources with the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) under a single board and management, so it can more effectively work to better downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods.
The singular organization will continue to focus on implementing the Urban Design and Neighborhood Revitalization plans, a robust slate of downtown events and developing the downtown area. The consolidation took effect recently, with DJDC board members invited to become members of the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. board.
The new structure will also create a more efficient organization that still addresses the needs of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. The DJDC’s focus on downtown revitalization is a natural fit with the Renaissance Corporation’s charge to implement the Urban Design Plan. The DJDC will remain in existence as a single-purpose entity that owns the Jamestown Gateway Station. Former DJDC Executive Director Lee Harkness will now serve as the General Manager of the Station.
Other staff will include Peter Lombardi as the Renaissance Corp. Executive Director, Tiffani Conti will serve as the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. events and marketing associate, Jim Goodling will be the Renaissance Corp. downtown project associate, Mary Maxwell is the new neighborhood project associate and Frank Besse will serve as office administrator and assist with a wide range of special projects.
According to Renaissance Corp. co-chair Lillian Vitanza Ney, the creation of a unified organization will set the stage for a united vision and mission, synergy of efforts, greater efficiencies, and the achievement of a high level of performance towards the renaissance and the vibrancy of Jamestown.
[…] On Tuesday, the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) held an informational meeting for businesses and community representatives interested in learning more about what the JRC has planned for the downtown and city. It was the first such meeting since the JRC and Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation (DJDC) merged services – a decision made by the boards of both organizations in 2012 and which was announced at the start of this year. […]