INDIANAPOLIS -
Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s president is stepping down.
Tamara Zahn says she plans to make the transition in June once a successor is announced. Zahn has been Indy Downtown Inc.'s first and only president.
IDI was most recently in the news because it will be working with the city to revamp Georgia Street as a downtown destination after the success of Super Bowl Village earlier this month.
Zahn pointed to "significant accomplishments" during her tenure at IDI including the Super Bowl, saying, "We have a strong, experienced staff and an engaged board to keep things moving forward."
As for her next steps?
"Once a new president is in place, I look forward to stepping aside, taking a break from a demanding schedule and - later this year - evaluating opportunities that may capture my imagination," she said.
"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," said Dennis Sponsel, president of RJE Business Interiors and IDI's board chair. He described IDI's approach as focused, positive and collaborative and one that engages many groups in the effort to make Downtown Indianapolis stand out.
Among the indicators of success achieved Downtown are:
· $7 billion in new construction since 1993
· 120,000 employees - Central Indiana's largest workforce
· 20,000 residents - the largest neighborhood in Central Indiana
· Central Indiana residents making regular visits to Downtown has grown from 47 percent in 1994 to 82 percent now.
Mayor Greg Ballard also praised Zahn's leadership, saying that it has added great value to the city's goals to keep its downtown vibrant.
"When we are trying to recruit new businesses to our city, people always come away impressed with our vibrant Downtown and amazed at the excitement it generates for the entire region," said the mayor.
