ST. LOUIS—A move that had been telegraphed for some time came to fruition Thursday as Neal Richardson, president and executive director of the St. Louis Development Corporation, departed his post in what was publicly described as a mutual agreement.

Otis Williams, who served in the role for eight years before Richardson, starts Friday on an interim basis.

The move was widely expected after Cara Spencer’s election as St. Louis mayor last month.

Spencer, as a member of the board of aldermen, previously sat on the SLDC board but resigned in protest over concerns over the execution of a grant program meant to fund north side redevelopment with federal American Rescue Plan Act money. Spencer also objected to the fact that Richardson chaired the SLDC Board. After her election last month, she replaced Richardson on the board with her chief of staff, Nancy Hawes.

“The city of St. Louis cannot succeed if our mayor is not successful," Richardson told the board after the decision was announced."We cannot continue to have this divisiveness within our city in this moment in time. We need to be unified. I recognize this is a tough moment for some, especially my staff, but as we turn this page we have to look forward to what's the greatest benefit of our city," he said, wishing Spencer well.

“In a political climate where equity is threatened and DEI programs are being dismantled, frameworks like Mr. Richardson’s Economic Justice Action Plan must be preserved to meet the needs of all neighborhoods—in particular those that have been intentionally ignored for decades,”Aldermanic board president Megan Green said in a statement.

“While we understand the importance of supporting new leadership for the continued success of our city, this decision represents a significant setback to the progress and momentum Mr. Richardson has helped build. His dedication and vision have laid a strong foundation for future growth, and his departure is a huge blow to the ongoing efforts to transform North St. Louis into a thriving and vibrant Community,” Green and alderman Rasheen Aldridge said.

Williams, reached by our news partners at the St. Louis Business Journal after the vote, said he would look to maintain a continuation of operations for the SLDC but that it was too soon to address any impact on existing programs.