Lincoln Park names Elliot Zelnick interim DDA director; outlines downtown priorities

Elliot Zelnick, a former Lincoln Park City Council member, introduced himself to the council as the interim executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and outlined an initial review of the DDA office and near-term priorities.

Zelnick said he found decades of disarray in the DDA office, with important documents in unorganized boxes and little institutional continuity for incoming directors. He told council he will inventory contracts and financial records, draft a continuity plan for future directors and begin addressing downtown aesthetics—trees, planter boxes, trash can repairs, spare light poles—and coordinate with other city officials on Fort Street reconstruction and grass/maintenance schedules for Southfield and Fort roads.

Events and programs

Zelnick said the DDA is planning at least one seasonal event and discussed ideas including a restaurant week and a Dia de los Muertos festival in October; he said the Cinco de Mayo festival was canceled this year due to coordination issues under previous administration. He also discussed potential snowplow-bid coordination with the city and said the DDA will examine contracts and options going forward.

Council response and next steps

Council members welcomed Zelnick. Several members asked about specific downtown conditions, such as the closed Wendy's site and vehicles parking on grass at some businesses; Zelnick said he will work with code enforcement and the DPW on short-term cleanup and long-term planning. He said he will meet with Commissioner Clementi and other officials and will provide regular updates to the mayor and council as he compiles the office records and develops operating procedures.

Sources: Remarks by Elliot Zelnick at the Lincoln Park City Council meeting and follow-up council questions.