Kelly Rich, executive director of Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council, is leaving the position effective Nov. 25, SPAR announced Nov. 9.
Rich became executive director in 2018, acting as an advocate for the Springfield Historic District and advancing the mission of the organization.
“My time with SPAR has been more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined. The staff, board of directors, donors, members, and volunteers have all been such enthusiastic supporters. I hope my leadership has been as impactful to the community as the community has been to me,” Rich said in a news release.
Rich is moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in her new role as director of downtown initiatives for Experience Fayetteville.
SPAR said that under Rich’s leadership, membership grew more than 300%; activities including Explore the Core and Music on Main were introduced; more than 20 small businesses opened in Springfield, with SPAR awarding more than $35,000 in grants to assist with facade improvements and pandemic impacts; and a $500,000 capital campaign to restore SPAR’s Main Street office was successfully completed.
Also in the past five years, SPAR celebrated Springfield’s 150th anniversary by transforming a vacant lot into a community green space, Sesquicentennial Park and the annual Jacksonville PorchFest grew to more than 20,000 attendees, the release states.
“Kelly brought a fresh perspective with unique ideas that helped SPAR grow its community programming, business districts, and our signature event - Jacksonville PorchFest. I am confident the future of Historic Springfield will be great because of the mark she left on it,” Tim Hope, SPAR board president, said in the release.
SPAR will conduct a search for its next executive director.