WORK IT, SOVA
On Friday, members of the River District Association, formerly the Downtown Danville Association, joined the City of Danville in celebrating the revitalization of the downtown area.
During the celebration, the city publicly announced that the area will now officially be called the River District, and unveiled its new logo. To show its support and commitment to rebuilding the community, the Downtown Danville Association officially announced that its name is now the River District Association and unveiled a new logo that complements the City’s River District brand. During the celebration, Ernecia Coles was also introduced as its new executive director.
Coles was raised in Chatham where she attended Pittsylvania County public schools and Chatham Hall before receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. From there, she attended Washington University in St. Louis where she earned a master of social work with a concentration in social and economic development. While in St. Louis, she won a number of awards for her work to revitalize city neighborhoods by building partnerships with both the public and private sectors for housing development, beautification, public safety and youth entrepreneurship programs.
“I am honored to join the River District Association and to work with the city of Danville at this critical time,” said Coles. “RDA has a unique and vital role to play in the development and promotion of business, entertainment, civic life and history here in the River District. I am excited to lead RDA and our membership in engaging residents and critical stakeholders throughout Danville to realize our shared vision of the River District becoming a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”
The Downtown Danville Association was formed in 1999 with a mission to coordinate revitalization efforts in downtown Danville, in partnership with City agencies.
Until 2007, the Association carried out this mission by coordinating the city of Danville’s Virginia Main Street Community program. It coordinated a façade improvement program, organized and hosted the Historic Murals of Danville Committee and implemented a series of networking and social events designed to promote and connect local merchants. Since then, it has maintained an all-volunteer board of committed Danville business owners, residents, civic leaders, nonprofit professionals, and representatives from City agencies. The Association’s members are Danville businesses (downtown and citywide), as well as residents and retired Danville business people who are committed to its mission.
With a grant from the Danville Regional Foundation, the association spent the last three years completing a two-phase assessment and planning process that resulted in a three-year Strategic Plan. The implementation of this plan will position the Association as a value-added partner in the revitalization of the River District and will encourage the development of opportunities and participation in River District business, civic and cultural life. The plan’s first priority is to build a strong sense of community and place in the River District by leveraging and representing a shared vision. Hence, the organization’s name was changed to the River District Association with the commitment to play an active role in shaping and disseminating the City’s River District logo.
