[Durham INC] Durham's Community Development Director To Retire

[Blalock, Amy]

CITY OF DURHAM

Office of Public Affairs

101 City Hall Plaza

Durham, NC 27701

 

 

News Release

 

For Details, Contact:

Beverly B. Thompson

Director

(919) 560-4123 x 11229

(919) 475-2362 (cell)

Beverly.Thompson at DurhamNC.gov

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release: August 5, 2011

 

 

 

Community Development Director Barros To Retire

Johnson Tapped to Lead Department

 

DURHAM, N.C. - Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield has announced the
retirement of Community Development Department Director Michael A.
Barros, along with the appointment of Reginald J. Johnson as interim
director of the department. Johnson currently serves as Bonfield's
senior assistant.

 

"The City appreciates the leadership Mike has provided over the past
seven years, developing the department and the staff to meet the
affordable housing needs of the community," Bonfield said.  "The City is
fortunate that for the last nearly eight years, Reginald has been
closely involved in many of the City's major housing projects and can
provide a strong measure of continuity to ensure the success of the
projects that are under way."

 

Barros is also credited with bringing stability and credibility to a
department that had many operational challenges prior to his arrival.
Bonfield added that he also strengthened the City's relationship with
its non-profit partners through his management of federal entitlement
programs and loans, and helped make the City a national leader in the
obligation and use of American Recovery and Reinvestment, or stimulus,
funds.  

 

Although Barros' retirement isn't effective until October 7, Johnson
will start his new assignment August 15 to maintain continuity on major
projects. Johnson currently manages the City Manager's Office and
coordinates the City's involvement in the Southside/Rolling Hills
Revitalization Project. He also served as a point person for the Eastway
Village project in Northeast Central Durham, working closely with new
homebuyers and renters to establish a cohesive neighborhood. In addition
to overseeing the City's management contracts for the Durham Performing
Arts Center and the Carolina Theatre, Johnson also manages the City's
homelessness prevention activities.

 

"I have worked closely with the Community Development Department on
several important projects that impact the lives of Durham residents,"
Johnson said.  "I am excited about the opportunity to continue my
services to the residents of Durham in this new role."

 

Prior to joining the City, Johnson worked as an advocate against payday
lending and predatory mortgage lending with Durham-based Self-Help, one
of the nation's leading community development lenders. A magna cum laude
graduate of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La.,
Johnson also holds a master's in Public Policy from Duke University and
a law degree from the University of North Carolina.

 

About the Community Development Department

The Community Development Department is responsible for coordinating the
City's housing resources and various housing assistance programs as well
as promoting affordable housing by working with investors and community
housing development organizations. The department also provides
assistance with the abatement of lead in older homes and administers the
City's entitlement programs from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban
Development. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the department helps
to ensure that the City has thriving, livable neighborhoods by enhancing
housing quality and affordability for Durham residents. To learn more,
visit  www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/ComDev
<http://%20www.DurhamNC.gov/Departments/ComDev> . 

 

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