Maitland loses CRA director, keeps downtown plans moving

As downtown development proposals continue to face the scrutiny of city boards, Maitland’s city manager is set to start mulling over a separate stack of applications looking to fill the soon-to-be-open staff position in charge of community redevelopment.

Amid the most action Maitland’s downtown has seen in decades with three proposals in limbo looking to reshape the city’s center, the man at the middle of it all – the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency director – filed his paperwork to retire last week. After 10 years of service, CRA Director Verl Emrick will vacate his position as of Nov. 1.

City Manager Jim Williams said redevelopment plans will keep rolling in the meantime as he looks for qualified candidates to fill Emrick’s shoes.

Mayor Howard Schieferdecker said he has faith that Williams will be able to find a replacement to step up and take the reins in coordinating the continuing redevelopment projects, whether it be by hiring a new CRA director or delegating Emrick’s duties out to other existing city staff.

“We’ll miss Verl, he’s a great guy … He’s always been great to work with,” Schieferdecker said.

Proposals for redevelopment in the city’s downtown CRA district, including the old city hall site and the lots of land surrounding it at the intersection of Independence Lane and Horatio Avenue, are in the process of being vetted by city boards. Once those recommendations are made, the proposals will face final votes by the City Council.

Plans to build a Maitland City Centre on the old Winn-Dixie site, anchored by an apartment complex rimmed by retail stores along the roadways, will go in front of the city’s Development Review Committee on Oct. 2.