Interim DDA director outlines cleanup and event plans, says office needs records and continuity

Elliot Zelnick introduced himself to the Lincoln Park City Council as interim executive director of the Downtown Development Authority and told council he is reviewing office records and contracts to restore continuity.

"There are decades of disarray in the DDA office," Zelnick said, and he described finding important documents in random boxes and no consistent continuity plan for transitions between directors. He said he will develop a standard operating procedure to preserve institutional knowledge for future directors.

Zelnick listed near-term items the DDA will review and pursue with city staff and council, including downtown aesthetic infrastructure (trees, planter boxes, trash can repairs and spare light poles), coordinating Fort Street reconstruction submittals to the state, exploring shared snowplow services with the city, and planning at least one DDA event per season. He also said the DDA is planning a Dia de los Muertos event in the first week of October and is considering a restaurant week and a Lincoln Park centennial celebration.

Council members welcomed Zelnick and asked follow-up questions about downtown vacancies and parking enforcement. Zelnick said he will provide more-developed plans after completing his records review and meeting with staff and council liaisons.

Why it matters: A functional DDA office and clear records are important to administering downtown grants, coordinating capital projects and organizing events that affect downtown businesses and property values.

Next steps: Zelnick said he will coordinate with city departments and return to council with more-detailed proposals and timelines.