Avondale May Hire Communications Manager

Now that development seems likely in Avondale Estates, the city is talking about hiring a communications manager to tell the world about improvements when they happen.

The city staff sends out information when good things happen, Mayor Ed Rieker said Tuesday night, but "we're not equipped to get that message out on a week-by-week basis."

Robert James, chairman of the city development authority, said the hire is not just a good idea, "it's a necessary position to fill."

Though the duties have for the communications manager not been specified, city officials mentioned writing press releases, handling social media and supervising city events.

The city commission and development authority met Tuesday to find ways to improve their working relationship now that development seems not only possible, but likely.

A couple of things have happened to make the city optimistic.

The biggest change occurred recently when .

The owners hope to renovate the building and .

In July, along East College Avenue.

That will give city hall . 

Rieker said for years appears to be moving toward resolution.

Authority member Allan Kirwan said several businesses have inquired about moving into Avondale Estates.

"I think we're on the verge of good things happening," he said.

City Manager Clai Brown will put together a draft of a job description and present it to the city commission, probably next month.

The communications manager probably would work for the development authority as well as the city commission and handle internal city commications, too.