Anthony Lyons

After 409 days on the job, Anthony Lyons is stepping down as executive director of the Capital City Development Corp., Boise’s urban renewal agency. Lyons cited family considerations in his Jan. 16 resignation letter to CCDC Board chairman Phil Reberger. However, Lyons is re-taking his old job, managing a redevelopment agency in Gainesville, Fla.

Lyons wrote in his letter that he will work with CCDC to have a smooth transition in February. His last day on the job is not yet known, though a Gainesville news release said he should start his job there on Feb. 18.

“We have selected the most qualified candidate from a national pool of exceptional applicants. In Anthony, the CRA will have a proven leader who knows Gainesville, and can hit the ground running without missing a beat,” Russ Blackburn, Gainesville’s city manager and the executive director of the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency said in a news release.

Reberger called Lyons a superb leader. He also said CCDC will now start the search for a new executive director.

“All options are on the table, but no decisions with regards to the search process have been made,” Reberger said. He said Lyons’ decision to resign happened quickly, though he did not have any details on the family considerations that led Lyons to step down.

During Lyons’ tenure, CCDC, with approval from the Boise City Council, started the 30th Street Urban Renewal District west of downtown. The redevelopment area, which will use tax increment financing for improvements, will be in place for 20 years. Reberger said that project gained momentum while Lyons was with CCDC.

In the past year, CCDC also reduced its involvement in planning activities, with Lyons saying that CCDC was duplicating services done by City of Boise planning officials.

Reberger said Lyons placed an emphasis on getting new projects under way, whether it be finalizing plans for the 8th and Main office tower or upgrades to city streets and infrastructure.

Updated Jan. 17: Lyons accepted a job in Gainesville.