The man who has led the Bethesda Urban Partnership for most of its existence plans to retire in November 2016.
David Dabney has helmed the Montgomery County government-funded nonprofit responsible for the maintenance and marketing of downtown Bethesda since 1999, when the Bethesda native was hired as executive director.
Under his watch, BUP grew into a group of 35 full-time employees who handle tasks ranging from landscaping in downtown road medians to organizing the Taste of Bethesda—the annual event featuring samples from Bethesda restaurants that has attracted as many as 40,000 people to Woodmont Triangle. BUP celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.
In 2006, BUP took over operation of the Bethesda Trolley before Montgomery County’s Ride On service was set to shut it down. Five years later, BUP switched out the trolleys for more modern buses now known as the Bethesda Circulator.
The organization also oversees Bethesda’s Arts and Entertainment District, a network of art galleries, studios, contests and events.
“This was my backyard. I really wanted to make a difference,” said Dabney, who grew up off of Cedar Lane and went to Walter Johnson High School.
Dabney, who will be 70 by the time he retires next year, was heavily involved with the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce when the concept of a group dedicated solely to government services for downtown Bethesda was born.
Much of BUP's funding comes from county government contracts paid for through fees collected in the public parking garages, lots and curbside meters of downtown Bethesda. There's also a property tax on commercial and non-commercial property in the downtown area.
BUP plants flowers, mows grass, has its own trash truck for downtown trash cans, can help shovel snow, does certain brick sidewalk repair work and has trained its employees to help fill potholes—examples of services that may not happen as quickly or consistently if they were still handled by the Rockville-headquartered county government.
On Tuesday, Dabney called his role over the past 16 years “a stewardship” of the vision that community leaders such as Carol Trawick, Ben King and Bob Eastham established when helping to create the group.
He also felt responsible for the idea of downtown Bethesda as a lively downtown hub, as envisioned by the 1994 area sector plan.
“It was in writing in black and white,” Dabney said. “I felt responsible for what the real visionaries of Bethesda had suggested and what was in that plan. It was an opportunity to do something that you really love and make your passion your career.”
Shortly after becoming executive director, Dabney hired Jeff Burton, who remains as BUP’s deputy executive director, and Stephanie Coppula, who remains as its director of marketing and communications.
Dabney’s wife recently retired from the National Institutes of Health and the two have a beach house in Delaware where they’d like to spend more time.
“She’s anxious for us to start this next chapter in our life,” Dabney said. “I’d like to do that while I have good health to enjoy that special time.”
Dabney will remain through November 2016. Andy O’Hare, chairman of BUP’s board, said the board has just now begun to plan for finding a new executive director.
Board Vice Chairman Patrick O’Neil said he hopes a new executive director will be able transition in seamlessly, perhaps with some overlap before Dabney’s retirement.
