CHAMPAIGN — Dorothy David has been working for the city of Champaign for more than 30 years, and for the last 12 years, she’s been City Manager.
In that time, the town has seen population growth and evolving conversations about how to drive economic development and infrastructure investments. That included improvements to the Boneyard Creek watershed to mitigate flooding and make the creek more accessible to the public.
Her time serving the city also included the COVID-19 pandemic. David was involved with coordinating the city’s response, including efforts to provide relief to Champaign residents.
“I’m very proud that our city continued to function and serve our community well under very difficult circumstances at that time,” she said.
David is stepping down from the position on December 20. The Champaign City Council has appointed Joan Walls, deputy city manager, to serve as her successor.
IPM News’ Arjun Thakkar sat down with her to reflect on her record and her time in Champaign.
ARJUN THAKKAR: So, City Manager David, you’ve been serving in Champaign government for more than 30 years. How have the city and your work changed since you started off in the community?
DOROTHY DAVID: Well, 30 years is a long time. It doesn’t seem like it, but the world has changed dramatically. Back in 1994 when I started with the city, you didn’t see the technologies we have today. We didn’t have the internet or cell phones as regular business applications. We certainly didn’t have social media. The community has grown and diversified so much in that time, it’s almost a completely different world than it was 30 years ago.
THAKKAR: And how do you feel about the prospect of stepping away from a place where you worked worked for so long?
DAVID: It’s both a pleasure, spending time reminiscing, thinking about all of the relationships and accomplishments over my time, but there’s also an excitement in looking forward to what the future is going to bring for our community, as well as what the future is going to bring for me.
THAKKAR: For the last 12 years you’ve been city manager. Are there any specific projects or accomplishments in Champaign that you’re proud to have been involved with in the role?
DAVID: Oh, there are so many things that I am proud of about our city during this time. You know, I wish it wasn’t, but perhaps one of the highlights of my time as city manager has been navigating, continuing to govern through the COVID-19 pandemic years. They certainly aren’t something that I look to as a highlight, but I’m very proud that our city continued to function and serve our community well under very difficult circumstances at that time.
THAKKAR: I know there’s been a number of discussions about economic development and about revitalizing downtowns. Is there anything that you’ve worked on that you’re proud of, or anything that’s going to continue forward, that you’re excited to continue following?
DAVID: So I I believe that our community is very strong. We’ve always had an excellent balance of local businesses, entrepreneurial, startup businesses, as well as a national, if not international prominence, because we are the home of the University of Illinois, I am really excited to see how our downtown continues to grow and thrive. With the new downtown plaza under construction. Can’t wait to be out there next summer, enjoying it with my friends in the community. There are also very important things we’ve done with regard to drainage, which may not sound exciting to people, but the things that we’ve seen in Campustown because of the Boneyard [Creek] improvements over the years are going to also continue as we do more Boneyard up in the northeast part of our community. The improvements to the Garden Hills neighborhood that we’re doing with infrastructure and drainage there should be [transformational] for that neighborhood as well.
THAKKAR: And I know within college towns, towns that are located adjacent to major universities, there’s always discussions about relationships with with the university. How do you feel the relationship with the [University of Illinois] has been under your tenure?
DAVID: I think we have an excellent relationship with our university. One of the things that makes Champaign County unique compared to other communities is how many partnerships and collaborations there are really across all sectors, across units of government. The university is a significant leader in those relationships. Other cities have stressed or challenging relationships in the town-gown realm, but the University of Illinois has always seen themselves as a part of the community, and we’ve always been so proud of our relationship and ability to support their mission.
THAKKAR: Looking back, is there anything that, you know, you regret over the course of your tenure, or anything that you wish the city or you had done, but you weren’t or the city wasn’t able to do?
DAVID: I’m not the type of person who looks backward with regret. I tend to have a philosophy that things work out the way they’re supposed to work out, and sometimes the lessons in life that we learn are learned because of the disappointments or the things that we had hoped would go a certain way but turned out differently. I don’t regret anything. I think there are going to be things that happen in the future that I’m going to go, ‘gosh, I wish I could have been a part of that.’ But I also recognize, with a bit of humility, that the time has come for new, fresh leadership moving forward.
THAKKAR: And speaking of that forward looking leadership, Joan Walls, who’s been your Deputy City Manager, will be entering your position going forward to manage city staffing and operations. What advice do you have for her and for the city?
DAVID: Joan and I have worked for the city together for over 25 years, and during my whole time as city manager, she has been my tireless supporter. She knows the city. She knows how to lead. She is going to be an exceptional city manager who does not need my advice. If I were to give the council and the new city manager any advice, it’s to continue to build on our professional legacy of serving the community, of being engaged with the community and being responsive to all of their emerging needs. I think that’s something Champaign does remarkably well, and I know that City Manager Walls is going to be exceptional in continuing to do so.
This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.