After more than eight years helping shape the growth of downtown Athens, Athens Main Street Executive Director Tere Richardson is retiring.
Richardson joined the downtown revitalization nonprofit in 2018, leading efforts that ranged from the creation of Merchants Alley and the transformation of the Athens Farmers Market to an expansion of events that regularly brought thousands of people downtown.
“Serving Athens Main Street and our downtown community has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” Richardson said. “When I stepped into this role eight and a half years ago, I believed deeply in the potential of downtown Athens and in what could happen if we brought the right people, partnerships, and resources together.”
The numbers tell part of the story. During Richardson’s tenure, downtown Athens recorded nearly $32 million in private investment and more than $2 million in public investment, according to Athens Main Street. The district added a net 26 businesses and 143 jobs, while volunteers contributed 11,777 hours.
Among the most visible changes was Merchants Alley, which transformed a previously underused alley off Jefferson Street into a public gathering space featuring art, landscaping and live music. The project was funded largely through private sponsorships, donations and grants.
Richardson also led the transformation of the Athens Farmers Market and creation of Doug Gates Park, representing more than $800,000 in improvements. The project expanded vendor and gathering space, improved accessibility and helped support the addition of Tuesday market days alongside the traditional Saturday market.
Events grew along with the physical changes downtown. Fridays After Five became one of Athens Main Street’s largest recurring events, drawing crowds of up to 5,000 people. The organization also added Merchants Alley Happy Hour and continued promotions including Summer Sippin’ and the Boutique Crawl.
Richardson advocated for the city’s establishment of The Square Arts and Entertainment District, which allows alcoholic beverages purchased from participating businesses to be carried within the designated downtown district. Most recently, she led development of a new identity for the Five Points area surrounding the Farmers Market.
“I am incredibly proud of the organization we have built, the relationships we have created, and the projects we have turned from ideas into reality,” Richardson said. “None of that happens because of one person. It has taken dedicated volunteers, board members, business and property owners, community partners, and local leaders who believe in downtown.”
Athens Main Street Board President Tommy Coblentz said Richardson’s impact can be seen throughout the district.
“Tere’s leadership and dedication over the past eight and a half years can be seen throughout downtown Athens,” Coblentz said. “The Athens Main Street organization and our downtown community have thrived during Tere’s tenure as Executive Director, and the successes achieved are a direct result of the tremendous work and energy that Tere has put forth. We are extremely grateful for her service to Athens Main Street and to our community.”
A successor may not be far behind. Coblentz said the board has already been working to select the organization’s next executive director and expects to share more information soon.
“Our board is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition and continuing the progress that has been made throughout the downtown district,” he said. “Since learning this news, we have been hard at work selecting Tere’s successor. We look forward to providing more information soon.”
For Richardson, retirement does not mean the work of building downtown Athens is complete.
“Downtown is never finished,” she said. “That is what makes Main Street work so rewarding. There will always be another building to restore, another business to support, another public space to improve and another opportunity to bring people to the district.”
“I know Athens Main Street will continue that work, and I will always be proud of what we built together and grateful that I had the opportunity to help lead it.”
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