The Downtown Alliance issued the following statement today on the passing of Robert Farrington who led the Downtown Alliance from its inception in 1991 until 2009.
The founder of the Downtown Alliance, Farmers Market, Live Green, Lights On! and Salt Lake City’s First Night, Bob Farrington’s contributions trace their origins to the very start of our organizations history. Farrington was recruited to Salt Lake City from San Antonio where he had served as the director of the Downtown Owners Association of San Antonio. His leadership at the Alliance brought people together, creating alliances and a voice for the diverse business interests and constituencies that make up our urban center. He also served as Executive Vice President of the Salt Lake Chamber from 2003 until 2009.
“Bob wasn’t just a visionary leader who helped shape Salt Lake City’s modern downtown,” said Jason Mathis executive director at the Downtown Alliance. “He was also a great friend and mentor.”
Farrington’s gracious spirit, astute judgment and planning background made the Alliance the authoritative voice for downtown’s evolution and development. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Maria and the Farrington family,” said Lane Beattie, president & CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “To know Bob was to love Bob, and he will be missed by Utah’s development community and everyone involved in downtown Salt Lake City.” Farrington’s advocacy continued in his role as Salt Lake City’s economic development director, adjunct professor of planning at the University of Utah and in private practice at Farrington Community, Planning and Development, a consulting firm he founded with his brother Phil.
