In December, council voted to make Combs, an assistant city manager, acting city manager, giving her a tryout of sorts. Assistant City Manager Nathan Cahall had served in the acting position since Paul Lolli’s retirement in July. Cahall remains in his position as assistant city manager.
Lolli is now a council member after being appointed to replace Zack Ferrell, who resigned after moving out the the city.
There was a lot of change in 2024 and there are plenty of city projects moving forward as Combs leads.
She has worked in Middletown for nine years, beginning as a city planner and holding the positions of planning director and director of development services before being appointed assistant city manager in 2023.
A Kentuckian, the 38-year-old is the mother of a young son, and she and her husband now live in West Chester Twp.
Combs grew up in Union, Ky. and has been golfing competitively since the age of 10. She was a scholarship athlete for the women’s golf team at the University of Cincinnati where she received a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and a master’s degree in community planning. She also holds certificates in historic preservation and public management.
“I aspire to be (a city manager). Whether that be now or later in my career, I will be happy with either,” Combs said.
She added she sees the chance to try on the position for at least a few months as a “gift.”
“I will take the opportunity to do my best for the city, as I always have. I look forward to it. It is a unique opportunity. It is a gift. I look forward to a challenge,” Combs said.
Most recently, Combs has been at the helm of the redevelopment of the largely empty Towne Mall purchased by the city last summer for $10 million.
Combs said while the city seeks grants for demolition of the building, they thought getting public input on its redevelopment was key. That included a survey campaign for residents’ ideas and an open house last month in the former Elder-Beerman’s store space to unveil some of those thoughts.
More information will be coming at the council’s strategic planning meeting later this month.
The city bought the site because “We want to control the development. It is unique because we have Renaissance Pointe (under construction) there and they are going to act as complementary bookend for the city to I-75,” she said.
While it will never be an enclosed mall again, some of the businesses that are not part of the mall property that was purchased, will remain under the current plan including Burlington, Gabe’s and Chipotle. Planet Fitness is a key component.
“Planet Fitness will remain on the site. We will build them a stand-alone,” Combs said. “It isn’t going anywhere. It is the highest performing in the United States, I am told.”
In 2025, residents may some some demolition begin at the mall, but finalizing plans with a request for proposals from developers may not come next year.
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