Christopher Hatcher, AICP

In my unofficial title as the City’s Recovery Czar, I am responsible for building interdepartmental and inter-agency partnerships to develop and implement complex, interdisciplinary projects including the deployment of $141M in American Rescue Plan Act State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA SLFRF) and coordinating the City’s strategy for pursuing competitive grant opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Major Projects, Initiatives and Accomplishments:

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align goals and ensure project success.
• Successfully managed multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining strict deadlines.
• Developed strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution of issues.
• Streamlined workflow processes for improved team productivity and project outcomes.
• Evaluated key performance indicators regularly, making data-driven adjustments to plans when necessary.
• Achieved on-time completion of projects with diligent scheduling and resource management.
• Implemented best practices in planning methodologies, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness across all projects.
• Evaluated proposals from vendors and contractors, selecting those that provided optimal value while meeting project requirements.
• Facilitated cross-functional team meetings to align project objectives and foster collaboration among departments.

Provided management and oversight of the department’s 40+ staff members across the Housing, Housing Enforcement, Grants Administration, and Accounting Divisions responsible for the administration of a $15M annual budget for Federal and State entitlement funding programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), City Housing bond funds, and other locally funded programs.

Major Projects, Initiatives, and Accomplishments:

• Oversaw the administration of $11M of CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Federal COVID-19 stimulus programs.
• Established the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), successfully paying over $20M in rental and utility assistance on behalf of eligible households.
• Developed the City's first Comprehensive Housing Plan in conjunction with the 2020-24 Five-Year Consolidated Plan.
• Partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Central Alabama to develop 6 affordable single-family units in the Wahouma Neighborhood.

Provided direct oversight of 30+ staff members across the Division of Planning, Urban Design, and Watershed Management, which includes 4 Major Sections responsible for administering 7 Regulatory Programs and 5 Non-regulatory Programs affecting the planning, design, and management of the physical, built, and natural environments.

Major Projects, Initiatives, and Accomplishments:

• Managed the Character Based Code zoning update process.
• Managed the development of the Post Construction Storm Water Design Manual.

Supervised a professional staff of architects, landscape architects, historic preservationist and urban planners in the preparation and review of public and private development projects including planning and architectural studies, designs, economic feasibility, and program implementation plans that support the City's revitalization strategies through a variety of urban design, historic preservation, architectural, landscape architectural, and planning activities.

Major Projects, Initiatives, and Accomplishments:

• Developed project scope, structure, and implementation strategy for the Preserving Dynamic and Diverse Neighborhoods initiative.
• Updated special district design review ordinances and design guidelines.
• Oversaw and managed the development and implementation of Blight Studies required to amend and restate numerous Urban Renewal Plans and Project Areas located throughout the city.
• Facilitated the development of a Blight Index, a tool that assists in identifying blight intensity and the prioritization of blight mitigation.
• Developed the Fountain Heights Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy to remove blighted properties, improve public infrastructure, and partner with non-profits and the private sector to develop new affordable and market-rate housing units.
• Lead numerous design initiatives to improve the beautification of public spaces.