Our work is to make Downtown work better.
The Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority (TDIA) was created by an act of the Florida Legislature in 1971. This act created a special assessment district to assist property owners, businesses, and individuals in the promotion of downtown as a hub for development, business, hospitality, government, art, and culture. The TDIA is governed by an eleven-member board of directors that are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Tallahassee. Members of the board have rotating terms and can be reappointed. Board members must be property owners and taxpayers in the TDIA downtown district. The activities of the TDIA include:
BEAUTIFICATION
PLANNING & PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SPECIAL EVENTS
TLH DOWNTOWN STAFF
Elias Mathes
Chief Executive Officer
Elias is a community and economic development specialist with more than a dozen years of experience working with cities and counties across the nation in the areas of downtown development, urban planning, and project management. Elias is a native of Thomasville, GA and originally moved to Tallahassee in 2010 to attend Florida State University where he obtained master's degrees in Urban Planning and Business Administration. Elias was previously an intern with the TDIA, the Vice President of the All Saints District Community Association, and a partner in several local businesses including, the All Saints Hop Yard, the Grain Restaurant, and the Fermentation Lounge.
Elias previously served as a Division Manager with the City of Asheville, NC where he led efforts to overhaul the city's transit system and develop a 10-year transit master plan. He was an Economic Development Manager with the Chicago-based consulting firm Baker Tilly and a Manager with a DC-based national nonprofit, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.
Scott Buchanan
Outdoor Programs Manager
Scott is our Outdoor Programs Manager and the leader of Tallahassee Downtown’s Clean & Safe Program — as well as many of your favorite downtown events.
With over 20 years of experience in habitat management and deep roots in the local music scene, Scott brings both expertise and community spirit to everything he does.
You’ll see him out on the streets daily helping keep downtown vibrant, and you can always catch him at our Saturday Market each week! Be sure to say hello next time you see him around.
