Susan Edmondson announced her resignation as CEO of the Downtown Partnership to the organization’s Board of Directors, effective immediately on October 25, followed by a public announcement released October 28.
Coincidentally, Susan and the board of directors had created a leadership succession plan in 2023 believing Edmondson’s departure would not anytime soon. Her sudden exit was in response to personal health matters.
Board chair, Jen Furda said, “In her tenure as CEO, Susan has amassed an incredible staff that will resume the work of the Downtown Partnership in conjunction with a highly engaged Board. Supporting business continuation even further are a list of partner organizations including the City of Colorado Springs, prominent area developers, and numerous business and community leaders.”
Central downtown Colorado Springs (about a one-square mile area), has become strong, vibrant focal point showcasing plenty of dining, event, entertainment, public space, and retail options. More than 2,000 residents are expected to call downtown Colorado Springs home, alongside a thriving business and economic center.
Susan’s decades long work in Colorado Springs include being a journalist at [Colorado Springs] The Gazette, where she rose to section editor for Arts & Culture. She also served as Executive Director for the Bee Vradenburg Foundation. Her participation, leadership, and vision has also been present in numerous key projects, task force work, and community initiatives. She sits on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum board, was co-founder of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPR), worked with the Pikes Peak Housing Authority, Pikes Peak Waterway Project (a robust clean-up effort of Fountain Creek), The Drake Power Plant decommissioning, and as the downtown representative on Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s Business Recruitment & Retention Committee.
Edmondson has always been a passionate advocate for smart economic development, affordable housing, and intentionally creating a thriving downtown center, rich in the arts, and a place where families and individuals at all stages of life could live, work, and play.
The Downtown Partnership has been instrumental in attracting nearly $2.3B in new investment over the last decade. This is highlighted by the development of a safe and vibrant downtown that attracts small businesses, events, professional offices, and restaurants, where higher foot traffic is greater, with more residential inhabitants within walking distance than at any time in the city’s history.
Other projects Edmondson and her team led were the installation of a comprehensive sign and way-finder system in the downtown area, helping folks navigate the changing street directions and finding key destinations. These included several landmarks and welcome signs not formerly in place for visitors or residents.
She championed the regeneration of what is now one of downtown’s most recognizable public spaces: AdAmAn Alley. This mid-block walkway on Tejon Street was formerly an eyesore with numerous dumpsters and an unlit pass-through after dark.
Other programs stemming out of the Downtown Partnership have included commissioned murals, 3D sculpture and relief work, flowers in downtown medians, Arts on the Streets, lit up alleyways, lights in trees, sidewalk art, shows, and a near non-existent presence of graffiti.
“Downtown Colorado Springs is strong.” Furda continues. “While some businesses are facing hardships due to economic factors and other variables, many of downtown’s most recognizable spots like Red Gravy and others are seeing a 2% increase in overall volume and patronage. Still others in the Downtown Development Authority (one square mile of downtown) are seeing a 1% increase overall.”
There have been several notable restaurant closures throughout Colorado Springs and El Paso County, but only a few are known to be closing their doors in 2024 from the downtown area. Just as many new restaurants have opened, according to Furda.
Twenty-six new businesses have opened their doors in downtown Colorado Springs since January 2024.
Edmondson will remain available to the board and staff as a consultant while she focuses on her health. A transition team from within the board will start with the selection of an Interim CEO, followed by a formal search process for a permanent replacement.
For more information about the Downtown Partnership and programs, go to: https://downtowncs.com
