Ron Redmond is stepping down after more than 20 years running the Church Street Marketplace.

In a press release Friday, Mayor Miro Weinberger said Redmond helped the Marketplace become "one of the Northeast's great urban places."

"I am grateful for Ron’s service to the City and the Church Street Marketplace, helping to grow and strengthen the Marketplace as a downtown destination for residents and visitors,” Weinberger said.

Redmond has served as Marketplace executive director since December 1998. Created in 1981, the Marketplace is technically a city department that oversees the Marketplace Business District, which draws more than 3 million visitors each year. Redmond's office is in charge of licenses and permits, marketing, and capital projects.

"Serving the City and the Marketplace for over two decades has been a privilege,” Redmond said in Friday's release. “Burlington’s downtown will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am looking forward to taking on new challenges.”

The release did not mention Redmond's future plans and he did not immediately return a request for comment.

Voters recently considered a measure that would have drastically changed the Marketplace. This past Town Meeting Day, residents rejected a ballot item that would have replaced the Church Street Marketplace Commission — a group of nine City Council appointees that set policies for the shopping district — with a nonprofit organization.
Business owners had complained that they don't have enough control over decisions affecting the street. Had it passed, businesses adjacent to Church Street, in an area known as the downtown improvement district, would have paid fees for certain services made available to those already on the Marketplace.

In the press release, Marketplace commission chair Jeff Nick said Redmond "shepherded the Marketplace through a changing and challenging retail environment."

"While the Commission is sad to see Ron go, we wish him well in his future endeavors,” Nick said.

Redmond will serve as executive director until December 1 "to ensure a smooth transition to a new director," the city press release said. The mayor will appoint Redmond's successor.