by Mary Rupert
Chuck Schlittler, executive director of the Fairfax Industrial Association, will become the executive director of the Downtown Shareholders on July 7.
“I view it as progressing, as evolving,” Schlittler said about downtown Kansas City, Kan.
Progress is being made now in downtown Kansas City, Kan., he said, pointing to renovation of an old Katz store and another building at 736 Minnesota Ave. as examples of revitalization that is now taking place.
Schlittler, who has been director of the FIA for 5.5 years, said his immediate goal will be getting to understand the issues and people involved with the Downtown Shareholders. He will meet with all those involved with the organization.
He said he expected that the organization will continue to address bringing business into downtown Kansas City, Kan., continue working with all partners, such as the Board of Public Utilities, Unified Government, Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development and others. Also, there may be issues that need to be addressed soon, such as housing shortages downtown and traffic, he said.
Schlittler said his new job will encompass economic development, housing, helping businesses, both new and existing, working through zoning requirements, serving as a liaison between the downtown area and the Unified Government, as well as a liaison with other groups.
He also will be watching over the Downtown Shareholders role as a self-supported municipal improvement district, a self-taxing entity that downtown entities have started to provide security, beautification and cleanliness.
He also will be working with fulfilling the Downtown Shareholders’ requirements for a Neighborhood Business Revitalization group. The group is one of several NBRs in Kansas City, Kan.
The former director of the Downtown Shareholders, Ed Linnebur, recently accepted a position as a program officer with the Greater Kansas City Local Initiatives Support Corp. He had been Downtown Shareholders executive director since 2008.
Schlittler said the FIA will have a plan in place to make sure there is a point of contact after he leaves.