6th Avenue Corridor Welcomes new Interim Executive Director
March 25, 2015
The 6th Avenue Corridor Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Breann Bye as the interim Executive Director of the organization effective April 1st. Bye replaces the current director, Laura Peters, who recently announced her resignation. Peters has accepted a position as Assistant Planner with the City of Des Moines’ Neighborhood Development Department and will continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders in the area in her new role.
Bye brings to 6th Avenue Corridor a strong background in community planning, project management, public facilitation, architecture, and graphic design. For the past four years Bye has served clients across the country and in Iowa as a professional planning consultant and President of Breann Bye + Associates. After graduating with dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture, Bye and her family moved to a historic home on 6th Avenue. Bye immediately became an active volunteer for 6th Avenue Corridor and the River Bend Neighborhood Association. “Out of all the places in the country we could have moved, we chose 6th Avenue and Des Moines as our home. The energy and enthusiasm for this area of Des Moines was evident and infectious. I am deeply honored to be selected as the interim Executive Director for 6th Avenue Corridor and look forward to utilizing my professional skills and talents in service of such an incredible organization.”
Bye steps into the Executive Director role at a pivotal time for the 6th Avenue Corridor. The Corridor was recently designated an Iowa Great Place by the Department of Cultural Affairs and awarded a $250,000 challenge grant for the 6th Avenue Streetscape Project. The project will implement much-needed safety and design improvements in the corridor. On March 23, the Des Moines City Council demonstrated further commitment to the corridor through its pledge of $150,000 for the acquisition and potential demolition of blighted buildings along 6th Avenue.
Bye will also work to continue the organization’s support of existing businesses in the district and its efforts to attract new businesses and development to the corridor. 6th Avenue Corridor envisions a dynamic commercial and residential environment which embraces the rich diversity of the area. Aaron Todd, 6th Avenue Corridor Board President, commended the Board’s decision in selecting Bye as the new Executive Director. “Breann brings the right mix of skills that we need to maintain our positive momentum. Breann’s skills and passion will be vital assets as we continue to work with existing partners and reach out to new ones.”
Further commenting on the leadership transition, Todd stated, “Our organization is incredibly grateful for Laura Peter’s leadership over the past few years and we look forward to working with her a new capacity. This is an exciting time for 6th Avenue Corridor.”
Breann Bye, Bio
Bye is a 2003 graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts and also earned dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture in 2009. Bye is a native of central Iowa and has lived in River Bend for four years with her husband and two children. Bye has volunteered her time for a number of organizations including the 6th Avenue Corridor, the River Bend Neighborhood Association, the City of Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission, and the Mayor’s Task Force on Demolition Permits and Historic Preservation.
Bye brings to 6th Avenue Corridor a strong background in community planning, project management, public facilitation, architecture, and graphic design. For the past four years Bye has served clients across the country and in Iowa as a professional planning consultant and President of Breann Bye + Associates. After graduating with dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture, Bye and her family moved to a historic home on 6th Avenue. Bye immediately became an active volunteer for 6th Avenue Corridor and the River Bend Neighborhood Association. “Out of all the places in the country we could have moved, we chose 6th Avenue and Des Moines as our home. The energy and enthusiasm for this area of Des Moines was evident and infectious. I am deeply honored to be selected as the interim Executive Director for 6th Avenue Corridor and look forward to utilizing my professional skills and talents in service of such an incredible organization.”
Bye steps into the Executive Director role at a pivotal time for the 6th Avenue Corridor. The Corridor was recently designated an Iowa Great Place by the Department of Cultural Affairs and awarded a $250,000 challenge grant for the 6th Avenue Streetscape Project. The project will implement much-needed safety and design improvements in the corridor. On March 23, the Des Moines City Council demonstrated further commitment to the corridor through its pledge of $150,000 for the acquisition and potential demolition of blighted buildings along 6th Avenue.
Bye will also work to continue the organization’s support of existing businesses in the district and its efforts to attract new businesses and development to the corridor. 6th Avenue Corridor envisions a dynamic commercial and residential environment which embraces the rich diversity of the area. Aaron Todd, 6th Avenue Corridor Board President, commended the Board’s decision in selecting Bye as the new Executive Director. “Breann brings the right mix of skills that we need to maintain our positive momentum. Breann’s skills and passion will be vital assets as we continue to work with existing partners and reach out to new ones.”
Further commenting on the leadership transition, Todd stated, “Our organization is incredibly grateful for Laura Peter’s leadership over the past few years and we look forward to working with her a new capacity. This is an exciting time for 6th Avenue Corridor.”
Breann Bye, Bio
Bye is a 2003 graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts and also earned dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture in 2009. Bye is a native of central Iowa and has lived in River Bend for four years with her husband and two children. Bye has volunteered her time for a number of organizations including the 6th Avenue Corridor, the River Bend Neighborhood Association, the City of Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission, and the Mayor’s Task Force on Demolition Permits and Historic Preservation.