Kim White / Contributed photo by Kim White Kim White, who has led the downtown development efforts of the River City Co., for nearly 11 years, is stepping down as president of the nonprofit agency.
White, who has served longer than any of the five River City presidents through the 33-year history of the nonprofit agency, said she will resign to pursue the next chapter of her career, once her successor is selected and on the job at River City, probably by this summer.
White declined to discuss her future plans. But she has been pursuing a possible run for Chattanooga mayor in next year's city elections to succeed Mayor Andy Berke, whose is term limited, leaves office next April.
"It has been a significant honor to serve our community in this way, but cities and organizations change over time and need to keep evolving," White said. "The time has come for me to leave River City Company and look for other ways to lead in our city, using the experience I've gained working with elected officials, business and civic leaders."
Tom Griscom, chairman of the 21-member board that oversees River City, said the board has began the search process to select a new leader. Griscom's praised White's leadership, which he said "has been invaluable in energizing our city through many successful initiatives and partnerships, and we wish her well as she pursues new opportunities."
Under White's leadership, River City has helped bring thousands of additional residents to downtown with new condominiums and apartments built from the North Shore to the redeveloping Main Street and Southside of downtown.
Just in the past four years, River City Co. said there has been more than $1.1 billion of new or planned investments announced in downtown. Collectively, those projects have already or soon will add a total of 3,447 more apartment units, 1,917 more students beds associated with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 487 single-family condominiums or homes and 1,668 more hotel rooms.
"We've really worked to make downtown a great place to live, work and play and to better integrate UTC into our vibrant downtown," White said.
River City presidents
Since its creation in 1986, River City Co. has had five presidents. Kim White, who has served since as CEO 2009, has been the longest serving head of River City. ' Bill Sudderth ' Pem Guerry ' Ken Hays ' Paul Brock ' Kim White
River City is currently developing a new plan to help revitalize the riverfront, called One Riverfront Chattanooga, which is looking to improve the district bordered by the Tennessee River, Fourth Street, Cameron Hill and the Bluff View Arts District. A plan is slated to be ready by July 4.
"As Kim begins her transition, she will focus on implementing the next phase of strategic planning for the riverfront," Griscom said. "This will offer a solid starting point for her successor to continue the momentum of our organization."
River City was created in 1986 as a nonprofit capitalized with $12 million from the Lyndhurst Foundation and other foundations, banks and financial institutions to help implement the recommendations of the Moccasin Bend Task Force to revitalize Chattanooga's riverfront and downtown. By working with local governments, the private sector and the philanthropic sector, River City has helped develop the Tennessee Riverwalk, the Tennessee Aquarium, the redevelopment of the Kirkman High School site, the Majestic Theater, The Tomorrow Building, the Block, Miller Park and Miller Plaza.
River City's $3.2 million annual budget pays for a 10-person staff and the agency's marketing and land development efforts. River City gets no taxpayer funds; its budget is funded with rent and program fees paid for its properties, which include the Majestic Theater, the land beneath the Chattanooga Lookouts Stadium, Miller Plaza and several downtown parking lots and other properties.
White was selected to head River City in 2009 after serving on its board for two years when she was formerly president of Luken Holdings Inc. and Corker Properties. White, a native Chattanoogan and longtime downtown cheerleader, returned to her hometown after working around the Southeast as a manager for Alltel Communications.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or at 757-6340