Charlevoix DDA director resigns

CHARLEVOIX — The Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority, previously known as Charlevoix Main Street, is currently without a director following the resignation of Lindsey Dotson.

Dotson announced her departure in an email to the DDA board on July 18. She has accepted a position at Housing North.

"I officially accepted an offer to work with Housing North providing support for their Housing Ready program for Emmet County by way of my consulting business," Dotson wrote in the email. "My last day working for the city/DDA will be July 31.”

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Dotson also expressed mixed emotions about her departure.

"I can't begin to put into words how bittersweet sending this email is for me, and I won't get too sappy in writing just yet," she said. "For now, I will just say thank you for this incredible opportunity to do the work we've been able to accomplish together, some of which will leave a lasting impression on our community for years to come. I am proud of what we've been able to accomplish as a team and I'm grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me and for all that I learned along the way.”

Dotson has served as the DDA director for the City of Charlevoix since 2016. She was also the staff advisor for the city’s Historic District Commission.

Charlevoix City Manager Heydlauff acknowledged the value of Dotson's contributions to the city.

“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with Lindsey Dotson over the past 7.5 years," said Heydlauff. "She is passionate about historic preservation and economic development and put those skills to use in our downtown in countless ways. She has been instrumental in implementing our brand identity over the years, helped create the wayfinding signage we have now, and worked with the Historic District Commission to enhance the Earl Young Historic District and help Charlevoix become a certified local government. She fostered our participation in the Redevelopment Ready Communities program and I joined her in presenting some of our housing work at the National Rural Housing Conference last fall in Washington, D.C.

“I wish her well in her next steps and am certain she’ll bring her unique skillset to her new role with Housing North,” he added.

With the director position due to be empty by the end of the month, Heydlauff said he anticipates the DDA Board of Directors will meet soon to discuss staffing plans.

— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Charlevoix DDA director resigns