Thomas Chatmon, who oversaw Orlando’s downtown vision, dies at 68

Thomas Chatmon knew how to make an introduction.

At downtown ribbon cuttings, celebrations and speeches, he often served as a high-energy opening act, professing his love for downtown Orlando and leading the audience in chants and cheers celebrating “DTO,” as he called it.

Often times he’d cede the stage to Mayor Buddy Dyer, whom he’d refer to as “America’s best downtown Mayor,” or Commissioner Regina Hill as “the people’s champ.”

Chatmon, who oversaw major developments, business recruitment and the city’s downtown vision for 16 years, died Saturday after a battle with cancer, Dyer said in a Tweet.

“Thomas was downtown Orlando’s biggest fan and champion,” Dyer said Monday.

Chatmon was hired as executive director of the Downtown Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency in 2007.

In the 16 years since, downtown Orlando saw numerous high-profile developments, which Chatmon had a strong hand in getting across the finish line, such as the Amway Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Creative Village, numerous office and residential towers, the SunRail commuter train, among others.

“I don’t think you can separate Thomas’ contribution from the entirety of what our downtown has become in his 16 years,” Dyer said. “He had a hand in virtually everything.”

Last year he was named Downtowner of the Year by the Downtown Orlando Partnership at the annual Golden Brick Awards.

At work, his colleagues appreciated his optimism and how he valued relationships, said Bonnett. They also admired his wardrobe of bold outfits.

“He had the sharpest suit collection any of us have ever seen,” Bonnett said. “We always loved to see him come off the elevator and see the shoes he chose that day and his hats.”

City Commissioner Regina Hill, who represents much of downtown Orlando, became especially close with Chatmon through working on many of those projects. The two often had discussions on how to best address homelessness or build single-family homes in the neighborhood.

Hill said it was important to him to revitalize Parramore responsibly.

Their phone calls always ended the same way: “The work continues.”

“You always felt better when you left him,” she said. “There was just something about him; he was always going to make you feel good when you departed.”

Chatmon came to the city after serving as CEO of Albany Tomorrow, a nonprofit that worked to revitalize his native downtown Albany.

He served on the board of directors for the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida from 2016 until 2022, including serving as the board’s chairman for two years.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great champion for social justice. Thomas was always a calming presence and strategic thinker, and he challenged us all to do better,” said Martha Are, the CEO of the Homeless Services Network. “He valued and nurtured relationships, including ours, and he served as a mentor not only to me but to so many others. More than anything, he was passionate about homelessness and about our organization, and he was a man of tremendous integrity. We will miss him dearly.”

A memorial is planned for Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.