Elizabeth Stevens Email & Phone Number

Mobile, Al, Us

Mobile, Alabama, United States

As President & CEO, I created and oversaw finances, sponsorship, and membership, spearheading the organization that nurtured much of the new development in Downtown Mobile. I led and developed a six-person team while overseeing the Business Improvement District (BID) Services contract and 14-person operations team. Most recently, I have transitioned as CEO Emerita, consulting to help the staff and board by providing guidance and concluding any outstanding business amid leadership… Show more As President & CEO, I created and oversaw finances, sponsorship, and membership, spearheading the organization that nurtured much of the new development in Downtown Mobile. I led and developed a six-person team while overseeing the Business Improvement District (BID) Services contract and 14-person operations team. Most recently, I have transitioned as CEO Emerita, consulting to help the staff and board by providing guidance and concluding any outstanding business amid leadership changes and as the organization sets to earn its next five-year extension—a legislative requirement for BIDs.Throughout my tenure, I engaged heavily in the community, including on serving on several boards of directors to strengthen the downtown and the impact of DMA.I also interfaced with city and stakeholders on the funding and development of numerous planning and policy issues beneficial to downtown's development including:• Hiring DPZ and funding a form-based zoning code for downtown and achieving council adoption. The Downtown Development District was approved by council in 2014. Interfaced with city and property owners on implementation and modifications.• Launching a Land Bank with $600,000 in fundraised capital. Wrote all the grants that garnered the raised capital and secured in 2023 two additional $250,000 commitments. As of 2024, 13 structures are under construction!• Creating incentive programs, including passage of a state New Markets Tax Credit, state Historic Rehabilitation tax Credit, TIF-funded façade grants, and donor-funded shopfront and signage grants.• Engaging professionals to advocate for urban development-friendly transportation policies. Ultimately securing a $150K grant to hire a firm to redesign all the downtown streets from the perspective of supporting walkable urban development. The plan, Optimizing Downtown Streets, was completed in 2021 and the city is in the process of implementing the street redesigns called for in the plan. Show less

Alabama, United States

Mobile, Alabama, United States

The Barton Academy Foundation (BAF) partnered with the Mobile County Public School System to renovate a long vacant 1830's landmark school building in Downtown Mobile to turn the building into a magnet school building for grades 6-9. BAF generated $13M in income through donations and syndication of state and Federal historic tax credits, Federal New Markets tax credits, and an Alabama Saves loan. It was one of the most complicated deals in state history. In August 2021, students entered the… Show more The Barton Academy Foundation (BAF) partnered with the Mobile County Public School System to renovate a long vacant 1830's landmark school building in Downtown Mobile to turn the building into a magnet school building for grades 6-9. BAF generated $13M in income through donations and syndication of state and Federal historic tax credits, Federal New Markets tax credits, and an Alabama Saves loan. It was one of the most complicated deals in state history. In August 2021, students entered the state-of-the-art school building. It was the first time children had gone to school in the building since the mid-1960s. For black children, it was the first time ever. Show less