San Jose Downtown Association's executive director elected to international board

SAN JOSE -- Scott Knies, Executive Director of the San Jose Downtown Association, has been elected to a new term on the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association (IDA).

This Washington, D.C. based-organization was established in 1954 to further the improvement of downtowns and their adjacent neighborhoods in cities throughout the United States and abroad. As an active IDA member, Knies is involved in developing national strategies for downtown revitalization.

Knies returns to the 32-member board for a three-year stint starting in January. He previously served terms as a director of IDA from 1990-1996.

Knies said he will focus on two key areas to bring home over the next year: the reuse of older, mostly vacant buildings; and the process for building business and nonprofit interests into productive civic partnerships.

"Vital and livable urban centers anchor the well-being of towns and cities," Knies said. "Two of the best tools for improving downtowns are management districts and community-based planning."

Knies has been executive director of the Downtown Association since 1988.

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