TAMPA, FL (May 15, 2024) – Bringing a track record of strategically taking on the challenges facing modern cities, spurring smart Downtown growth, and collaborating with stakeholders across communities, Kenyetta Bridges has been named President and CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership.
For nearly two decades, Bridges has served as a key leader in one of America’s most dynamic Downtown success stories: the revitalization of Detroit, Michigan. With the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation – as Executive Vice President and later as Chief Operating Officer – Bridges and her team have spearheaded $3.8 billion in Downtown Detroit investment over the past five years, leading to approximately 10,000 new announced jobs, exciting world-class entertainment spaces, and fresh affordable housing options.
Bridges’ dynamic leadership style has brought together businesses, government, residents, community advocates, and other voices in coordinated efforts to enhance neighborhoods, attract innovative development options and employers, and support large-scale events such as the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bridges and her team successfully advocated for local and state legislation, incentives, and resources that enabled revitalization projects, including:
– The Future of Health premier academic medical center
– The District Detroit, composed of 10 new mixed-use residential and commercial projects
– Ford’s Michigan Central Train Station Innovation Hub
– The 12-story Hudson’s Block Transformational Project
– Redevelopment of the Michigan State Fairgrounds and the Detroit Pistons Headquarters
“Downtown Tampa is alive with energy and opportunity,” said Bridges, who will begin her new role on July 1, 2024. “I’m excited to join the leading edge of the wave of positive momentum that has brought Tampa’s Downtown and the region into the national and international spotlight as one of the best places in America to live, work, and play.”
“As our city booms, the Tampa Downtown Partnership has a vital role in building upon what we all love about this place-the characteristics that make our community special. Ms. Bridges brings experience that can elevate the Partnership as a partner in planning and executing Downtown growth,” said Stephen Panzarino, who served as Chair of the Search Committee for the organization’s Board of Directors, and is Regional Director of Architecture of AECOM’s East Region and Area Managing Principal of AECOM’s Florida and Georgia offices.
Bridges will add her dynamic leadership style and record of success to the Partnership’s existing award-winning slate of services, including its Clean and Safe Downtown efforts; cornerstone events such as River O’ Green, Eggsploration, and Winter Village; neighborhood enhancement and placemaking; marketing Tampa’s Downtown; and advocacy for transportation and other crucial Downtown interests.
Shaun Drinkard, who has been with the Partnership for 14 years and is serving as Interim President, will remain as a key member of the organization’s staff and continue to bring his expertise to the operational and functional areas of the Partnership’s many vital initiatives.
As a member-driven nonprofit organization, the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s mission is to be the steward of Downtown Tampa, while cultivating effective public/private partnerships to facilitate catalytic physical and economic development. The Tampa Downtown Partnership also administers the Special Services District (SSD) program through an annual contract with the City of Tampa.
“Our small but mighty team is truly among the best in the country. From launching the DASH hub-to-hub transit operation to adding a host of new activations across Downtown’s seven neighborhoods, anyone who interacts with Tampa’s Downtown has seen the benefits of their amazing work,” said Jin Liu, Chairwoman of the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Board of Directors, and a Shareholder with the law firm Carlton Fields and Chair of the firm’s Development Industry Group. “Adding Ms. Bridges to our fantastic staff will bring in another impactful individual with unique skills and experiences, and a passion for building communities.”
Bridges joined the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) in 2005, holding progressively more senior positions, ultimately becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2023. Before joining DEGC, Bridges served on the staff of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) following various roles in the banking industry.
In the past five years, Bridges has been honored as a Women in Leadership Honoree for MichBusiness Women Thrive, a Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Vanguard Recipient, and named to Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Women in Real Estate. She has served on multiple boards focused on economic growth in Michigan and beyond, and-for nearly 20 years-as a Think Detroit PAL Volunteer/Youth Program Coordinator. Bridges earned her Master of Administration and Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Administration from Central Michigan University.
