Davidson resigning as Iowa City economic development leader

IOWA CITY - Having spent more than three decades with his finger on the pulse of Iowa City development, city economic development administrator Jeff Davidson has been involved with some of the city's largest buildings and most expansive growth.

In any community, especially one with an actively involved public like Iowa City's, such a role requires the ability to take a little criticism,

'I don't think in 34 years I've ever had a project where there was unanimous consensus,” he said. 'Iowa City has always been a really challenging place to work with planning projects, but that's what has made it so fun ... that's what you live for, that's what makes it fun, is having that participatory democracy and people who really care about the community.”

But Davidson, 57, said it's time for a change of pace. He will officially resign at the end of the month to take a job with the non-profit Keep Iowa Beautiful.

Davidson's first city role was as assistant transportation planner with the city's then-new planning organization - now the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County. At the time, he was still a graduate student at the University of Iowa seeking his master's degree in geography.

Over the years, Davidson climbed higher into the city's planning department and played critical roles in the creation of private projects like downtown's Plaza Towers and massive community efforts like the county's Joint Emergency Communications Center - a project he described as one of his proudest achievements.

Davidson's latest responsibility has been more focused on the economics of development, including when the Iowa City Council should consider providing assistance to projects seeking public financial help, and, if so, in what way.

A Des Moines-based non-profit, Keep Iowa Beautiful assists communities and organizations implement beautification projects, conduct research studies and provide anti-littering and beautification education programs.

'I felt like it was time for a change, but I still wanted to keep my hand in the planning profession,” he said, adding that his focus will be on Jasper County.

City Manager Tom Markus described Davidson as an invaluable member of the city's staff, with an impact that will be felt for years.

'Quite frankly, you're going to see a lot of new development that has Jeff's fingerprints on it,” he said.

Davidson's final year with Iowa City was as the newly created economic development administrator position, but Markus said he might not fill that role now.

With Davidson's departure, Markus said he is assessing the economic development administrator position, which currently pays an annual salary of $135,000.

Positions shifted last year when the departments for planning and housing services were combined into the development services department, with Davidson assuming his current role and working closely with Wendy Ford, the city's economic development coordinator.

Markus said it's likely Ford will handle all economic development functions moving forward.