September 3, 2002

Manager to Work for Three Cities

By Justin Carinci

POLK COUNTY -- Efforts to perk up downtowns in Polk County will take a leap forward as a new redevelopment manager begins work next month in Dallas, Monmouth and Independence.

John Swanson will leave his hometown of Warren, Penn., where he he worked as a planner before starting a main street development program. He'll spend half his time in Dallas and split the other half between Monmouth and Independence.

Swanson's background in Pennsylvania makes him ideal for the new position, said Dallas City Manager Roger Jordan. "What we're asking him to do is exactly what he's doing for Warren." In Polk County, Swanson will form teams to recruit businesses that fill community needs and to keep existing business.

He'll also look at urban renewal, parking, getting grants, and filling vacant buildings. Although the communities have development programs underway, Jordan said only a manager can give the desired level of attention and coordination. "Everyone agreed we need someone dedicated to the effort and staffing to carry out the tasks we need.

"Whether it's getting buildings filled, getting fa¦ades fixed up or finding a solution to parking problems, with the City and Chamber of Commerce staff, there is no time." In applying for the job, Swanson said he was excited to return to the Pacific Northwest. He spent most of the 1990s working in Seattle.

The job will last a minimum of two years. The first year will be funded with a grant from the state Economic Development Department. The cities have committed to a second year as well, Jordan said, which he hopes will also be grant-funded. Dallas last had a development manager in the mid-'80s. That position lasted two years. Although Jordan found that effort helpful, he thinks Swanson can get more accomplished."At the end of two years, we didn't strengthen relationships with business enough," Jordan said. "This time, we'll try to learn from our experience."