Leonard Sledge
Richmond’s economic development director for the past five years is on his way out, multiple sources tell BizSense.
Leonard Sledge, who has led the economic development department since 2019, has informed the city he will be leaving in the coming months for another job.
Sledge did not respond to requests for comment, but multiple sources with knowledge of his plans confirmed that Sledge had let it be known that he would be stepping down in June.
Attempts to confirm Sledge’s departure with the city were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Since his hire in June 2019, Sledge has led Richmond’s department in several high-profile development efforts, from the Diamond District project that’s currently in the works to the post-Navy Hill positioning of surplus properties and subsequent City Center solicitation.
He also managed the solicitation for the twice-attempted casino project in South Richmond, played a central role in negotiations on the under-construction Riverfront Amphitheater and with VCU Health and other parties involved in the planned Public Safety Building redevelopment that was ultimately aborted.
Sledge at a Diamond District event in 2022. (BizSense file photo)
Sledge was noticeably absent in recent meetings about the Diamond District, a project he typically has been the speaker on in presentations to City Council. Monday’s update to council about a change in approach to the project’s financing was handled by Sledge’s boss, Sharon Ebert, deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development.
It’s unclear what impact Sledge’s departure will have on the Diamond District or on City Center, the latter of which has been in apparent limbo since developers vying for the Coliseum-area redevelopment were asked last year to amp up their proposals.
Sledge’s pending exit follows the recent departure of Maritza Pechin, a deputy planning director who worked with Sledge as Diamond District’s project manager and also advised on City Center.
The post Sources: Sledge to step down as Richmond economic development director appeared first on Richmond BizSense.
