Kim Schaefer, Downtown Project director of communications, speaks during a news conference at Oasis at Gold Spike in downtown Las Vegas Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. The Oasis, a boutique hotel owned and operated by the Downtown Project, officially unveiled renovations during a tour Tuesday.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 | 3:47 p.m.
The spokeswoman at the helm of communications for Tony Hsieh's $350 million Downtown Project has stepped down, the company said today.
Kim Schaefer joined the Downtown Project shortly after it began in November 2011, serving as the point person for media and members of the public interested in learning about DTP's efforts to revitalize Downtown Las Vegas.
“Kim just decided to pursue new opportunities,” said Maria Phelan, another spokeswoman with the project.
Schaefer's job was vital to disseminating Hsieh’s community-centric vision and defining the project's goal to transform the area around Fremont East into a respectable, money-making center of commerce and culture.
To fund the project, Hsieh set aside $200 million to fund real estate deals, $50 million for education, $50 million for small businesses and $50 million for tech startups through the Vegas TechFund.
In September of last year the Downtown Project laid off 30 employees, reportedly targeting the project's non-revenue entities.
Schaefer could not immediately be reached for comment; Downtown Project officials would not comment on the specifics of her future plans.
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