ITHACA NY FEBRUARY 8, 2023 —The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) announces Executive Director Gary Ferguson is stepping down from his role at the end of June. Ferguson has led the organization and Downtown’s revitalization efforts since 1999.
In announcing his retirement from the DIA, Ferguson notes, “I have been honored and privileged to lead the Downtown Ithaca Alliance for nearly a quarter century. During that time, we have fundamentally transformed Downtown Ithaca into one of the most dynamic and vibrant city centers in New York and, indeed, this part of the country. We have shepherded Downtown through monumental change and tremendous challenges. I am proud of our work and believe we have made a lasting and measurable impact on this Downtown and our community. But it is now time to move on to a new chapter and bring in a new leader to guide Downtown through the decades ahead.”
DIA Board President Ashley Cake says, “Gary Ferguson’s visionary leadership of the DIA for more than 20 years has played a decisive role in making downtown Ithaca the wonderful place it is today. Downtown Ithaca is entering a new chapter, becoming a highly desirable place where more people than ever want to live, work, and play. The board of directors looks forward to building on Gary’s legacy with a new executive director to turn that page with the community and us.”
During Furguson’s 24 years of service, Downtown tripled its size in total built square feet, growing from around 1,000,000 SF to an estimated 3,000,000 SF by next year. This growth included three new hotels, a rebuilt Commons pedestrian mall, and the addition of about 1,000 new housing units. Ferguson served as the author of several 10-year strategic plans and oversaw the economic development portion of DIA’s downtown renaissance work.
During his tenure, the DIA grew from a two-person operation with a $200,000 budget to an organization with 12 office staff and eight ambassadors with an annual budget above $1.4 million.
According to Ferguson, guiding Downtown through the pandemic was the most challenging part of his 45-year downtown management and development career. “As we all know, it was an unprecedented time of uncertainty and fear. For businesses, it was and continues to be extremely taxing, both financially and mentally. We have a functioning downtown today thanks to the tireless work of our DIA staff, the business owners and employees who weathered the storm, and our community and economic development leaders who worked so hard to try and make a difference.”
Ferguson notes that as he retires from the DIA, he and his wife, Lisa, will remain in Ithaca. They will focus on growing Lisa’s Laughing Goat Fiber Farm and launching Gary’s new community and economic development consulting business.
“Lisa has greatly helped me, allowing me to focus on Downtown revitalization. It is long past time for me to help her with our family farm and business,” says Ferguson.
The DIA will undertake a national search to find its next Executive Director. Details of the executive job search will be forthcoming shortly from the organization.
