Suzanne Frick, a longtime City of Ketchum employee, is shifting her work focus to the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA), the department responsible for executing the First and Washington Redevelopment Project.
In 2020, then the city administrator, Frick agreed to fill the position as director of the Ketchum Planning and Building Department and executive director of the KURA. She had over 30 years of experience working in planning and building departments and redevelopment agencies. Effective Jan. 1, she will begin to work solely for the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency.
“Ketchum is a wonderful community with similar housing and development challenges as other resort communities in the West. It’s tough, but rewarding, to work on development and planning projects in Ketchum,” Frick said. “The Planning and Building Department staff are hardworking, talented individuals dedicated to implementing the community’s vision. I am fortunate to have been part of the team. I look forward to working more closely with the KURA to implement their vision and projects.”
This pivot does not come as a surprise. When asked to fill the position of the Planning and Building Director, Frick did so with the intention it would be a limited term until a solid team could be established in the Planning and Building Department. Now that the KURA project is proceeding, Frick has agreed to stay on with reduced hours to shepherd this important project through a process she knows so well, expediting the production of much needed affordable housing.
“Suzanne has been a tremendous asset to the City of Ketchum,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “I am so thankful she agreed to stay on as Planning and Building Director to help guide several large projects into development. Her dedication to the community continues as she’s agreed to lead the KURA’s upcoming legacy project to completion.”
The process for selecting a developer for the First and Washington mixed-use project is underway. The project will include income-restricted workforce housing, commercial or community space, and potentially public parking. Details on the project can be found at ketchumura.org.
In addition to the First and Washington project, the KURA will also partner with the city to develop housing on other publicly owned properties.
The City of Ketchum is now seeking a Director of Planning & Building, an Associate Planner (a new position budgeted for fiscal year 2023) and a Planning Technician. Details on all job opportunities can be found at ketchumidaho.org/jobs.