Susan Mendheim Retires from Midtown Alliance

The Midtown Alliance honored long-time leader Susan Mendheim with a party at the Wednesday evening. 

Mendheim, president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization since 1982, that she would retire at the end of May.

Many community leaders credit Mendheim with turning a once blighted Midtown into a vibrant community.

"She is the one that brought us to Midtown," said Harald Hansen, an emeritus board member of the alliance. 

At the helm of Midtown Alliance, Mendheim launched the planning initiative Blueprint Midtown, which spurred $1.5 billion in private investment in the area. 

"Thank you for transforming Midtown," Dist. 6 Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan said. 

At the party, Mendheim was honored with a resolution from Wan, a proclamation from state Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) and a painting from SCAD professor Peili Wang. She also was bestowed a bronze plaque at the Woodruff Arts Center. 

"I am so completely overwhelmed," Mendheim said. "I appreciated every day but never so much more than today.

"I just want to thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That's all I can say."