THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 1996 TAG: 9604090282
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Robert B. Smithwick, who has led the city's effort to develop the planned MacArthur Center mall, is leaving his position as Director of Development but will stay with the city to supervise the mall and other projects, Smithwick said Monday.
On May 1 his new title will be special assistant to the city manger. Smithwick will move to an office on the 11th floor of City Hall, down the hall from the mayor and the city manager.
Judy Begland, now deputy development director, will be the interim director of both the development department and interim executive director of the Industrial Development Authority, which is Smithwick's complementary role.
Smithwick, 68, joined the city in 1986. He said he has discussed leaving his position as department director with City Manager James B. Oliver for some time.
``I've been doing this for 10 years, and it seems like this is the time to make an orderly transition,'' Smithwick said.
As development director, Smithwick supervised the department which is responsible for courting new businesses and helping develop those that are here already.
During Smithwick's tenure, USAA located an office in Norfolk. Smithwick also was a player in downtown projects like Harbor Park base stadium and the Waterside hotel and convention center. In the last year The New York Times has located offices here, as has the Coast Guard.
The MacArthur mall in its various forms has been perhaps Smithwick's biggest project. The city is putting about $100 million into the $300 million mall. The city hopes the 1.2 million square-foot mall, to be located on 20 acres cleared in urban renewal in the late 1950s, will make downtown again the center for shopping in Hampton Roads.
Smithwick is particularly credited with getting Nordstrom's commitment to locate in the proposed mall. The department store's presence was key to winning commitments from a developer and other stores.
Smithwick would not say how long he would stay in his new position, and whether that would be long enough to see the mall open its doors.
Groundbreaking for the mall took place in January, and construction was scheduled to begin this spring. But start of the project may be delayed by a lawsuit and other recent hurdles the project has encountered.
In addition to supervising the mall, Smithwick said Monday he will continue to work on efforts by the city to win a major-league sports franchise for the region.
Smithwick joined the city in 1986 after a 30-year career with Texaco, retiring as vice-president in charge of U.S. operations. Since he joined the city, Smithwick has been Norfolk's biggest promoter, flying around the country and world seeking business opportunity for the city.
Smithwick said he is leaving the job because a decade is long enough in what is really his third career, he said. Before working with Texaco, Smithwick was a teacher and coach.
Smithwick lives in Virginia Beach. He was granted a special exception from the city's policy that all department heads reside in Norfolk. As special assistant to the city manager, he will keep his present salary of about $85,000 annually. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/The Virginian-Pilot
As special assistant to the city manager, Robert B. Smithwick will
supervise the MacArthur Center mall project as well as continue to
work on winning a major-league sports franchise for the region.
by CNB