Kevin Jackson, Neighborhood Services Director for the City of Champaign, has announced his resignation effective later this month. Jackson will be leaving to assume a new position as Deputy City Manager for the City of Long Beach, California.
Upon making his announcement, Jackson said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to work for such an outstanding organization as the City of Champaign. As I reflect on my nine years of service to this community, I am humbled and honored to have been a part of so many community-enhancing projects and accomplishments. This community has given so much to my family and I that it will be bittersweet to say goodbye. But I’m excited for the opportunity to start a new chapter in my lifelong career of service to the public. I wish the City of Champaign and all its residents continued success.”
Jackson was appointed the City of Champaign’s Neighborhood Services Director on March 10, 2008. Prior to that he worked five years as the Neighborhood Partnership Administrator for the City of Glendale, Arizona, and five years as Project Management Assistant with the City of Phoenix, Arizona.
City Manager Dorothy David said, “Kevin has faithfully served and positively impacted the lives of Champaign’s residents. Under his leadership, the Neighborhood Services Department has proactively solved neighborhood problems, expanded minority and resident involvement in City contracts, and led our organization in community engagement efforts. Kevin has been a champion for the Bristol Place neighborhood redevelopment and the person who established the STAR Awards to recognize others for their selfless contributions to our City’s neighborhoods. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Kevin these past nine years and I am pleased to support him as he takes this next, much-deserved, step in his career.”
During his years as Neighborhood Services Director, Jackson worked with elected officials and staff to implement several City projects and initiatives. Some of his proudest accomplishments include:
- Facilitating the comprehensive public-private redevelopment of the Bristol Place neighborhood.
- Regional cooperation and public-private partnerships on affordable housing strategies, development and rehabilitation, including expansion of tenant-based assistance, affordable housing units, supporting the creation of the Emergency Family Shelter and partnering on nearly $100 million in investments.
- Expansion of contracting opportunities for small and woman- and minority-owned businesses and initiation of the Justine Petersen Micro-Lending partnership.
- Expansion of citizen engagement through new initiatives like the STAR Awards, Champaign City Government 101, Regional Neighborhood Network Conference, and Neighbors of Champaign web portal.
- Expansion of registered neighborhood groups across the City and creation of the Homeowner Association (HOA) Leaders Network.
- Enhancement of code enforcement strategies including development of the nuisance vacant structures ordinance to address vacant and abandoned, dilapidated structures and creation of the Keep Champaign Beautiful initiative.
Jackson added, “These accomplishments were only possible by working together with past and present elected officials, City Managers, and the City’s dedicated and professional staff. I know the successful programs, policies, and projects we’ve worked on together will continue to serve our community in a positive manner for years to come.”
The City of Champaign will launch a nationwide search for a new Neighborhood Services Director this summer.
Contact: Kevin Jackson | [email protected] | 217-403-7070