Chris Jean

What do you do professionally?
Please share a bit about your profession and how it impacts you and your relationship with the community. 

I work as an AVP of Business Development & Basketball Activation at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the union for all current NBA players. In this role, I focus on developing and executing programs that not only generate revenue and impact for our members but also create meaningful connections between the union, our partners, and the communities we serve. This involves cultivating strong relationships, identifying shared goals, and developing impactful initiatives that benefit everyone involved. These skills – strategic planning, relationship
building, and community engagement – are crucial in navigating complex partnerships and creating positive change, both within the NBPA and within a thriving community like Thomas Square with neighbors that have diverse needs.

Why are you interested in serving on the TSNA Board of Directors?
Explain what drew you to make this decision to volunteer to serve your community on the TSNA board.

We moved to Thomas Square during Covid at a time of so much uncertainty, seeking a change of pace and a more positive environment. The welcoming atmosphere, the sense of community, and the unique character of the neighborhood immediately drew us in. This community has given us so much, and it feels natural to want to give back. I'm drawn to preserving the sense of community, the walkability, and the unique qualities that make Thomas Square a beloved community for years to come. I believe that serving on the TSNA Board is an opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to the community that has given so much to my family. I'm eager to continue to work alongside other dedicated community members to ensure that Thomas Square remains a thriving and welcoming neighborhood for all.

What do you see as the top challenges for our neighborhood, and how do you think the board should address them? 
Some examples we see as top issues facing our neighborhood in the coming years are the potential expansion of Savannah’s To-Go Cup district, hotel development, the ongoing affordable housing crisis, rising property taxes due to property value inflation, and increasing crime & homelessness challenges.

Although there are many challenges/opportunities for our neighborhood, below are a few listed
with potential proactive action items.

Hotel Development Overlay - Uncontrolled hotel development can lead to over-tourism, increased traffic congestion, parking shortages, and a decline in the neighborhood's residential character which is something we all can agree we don’t want. As a board we can continue to do what we’ve been doing. Partnering with surrounding historic neighborhoods, communicating with city officials, executing the proper land surveys, and educating our residents, allowing them to provide valuable collective feedback.

Community Safety - Ensuring the safety of all residents, including pedestrians and cyclists, while addressing concerns related to traffic patterns and sidewalk accessibility. As a board we can continue to educate our residents and to work with the city and the state on funding for projects like neighborhood assessments, creating more sidewalk accessibility, and increasing visibility with improved street lighting and landscaping. Partnering with our local precinct

Rising Property Taxes - Increased property values lead to higher property taxes, making it difficult for long-time residents to afford to stay in the neighborhood.
 

• Board Actions:

  • Educate Residents - continue to hold educational sessions for our residents on ways to understand their assessments and filing for homestead exemptions (if applicable). We typically host one each year that is very well received so we should continue to do it and find more ways to make it widely accessible to those that can’t attend in person

  • Advocate for Tax Relief Measures - Advocate for property tax relief measures for long-time residents
     

Affordable Housing - The lack of affordable housing options is a significant challenge, displacing long-time residents and limiting housing options for low- and middle-income families.

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• Board Actions:

  • Partner with Non-Profits - Partner with non-profit organizations that focus on affordable housing development and preservation.

  • Support Community Land Trusts - For the long term - Explore the potential for community land trusts as a strategy for preserving affordable housing options.

  • Advocate for inclusionary zoning - Advocate for inclusionary zoning policies that require developers to include a certain percentage of affordable housing units in new developments

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Preservation of Neighborhood Character - Rapid development, rising short term rentals/vacant landlords, and gentrification can threaten the unique character and charm of the neighborhood.

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• Board Actions:

  • Advocate for Historic Preservation - Advocate for policies that protect the historic character of the neighborhood and prevent overdevelopment.

  • Support Local Businesses - Encourage and support the growth of locally-owned businesses that contribute to the neighborhood's unique character.

  • Community Guidebook - with the rising popularity of short term rentals, its important we ensure that guests of Thomas Square treat it as its residents would.This guidebook could serve as simple do’ and don'ts of the neighborhood that residents could have input in that would be made available upon arrival (or on our website).

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By proactively addressing these challenges, the TSNA board can play a vital role in ensuring that Thomas Square retains its neighborhood integrity.

What steps would you take to bring the community together, inspire engagement, bolster membership & attendance at meetings, and give residents a stronger voice?
Community involvement has always been a cornerstone of the Thomas Square neighborhood, but there is much room to inspire more participation and engagement moving forward.  

As a board, although it's not a paid position, it's our job to remember that we serve a resource to our residents. One of the best things we can continue to do is communicate and meet people where they are.

We can expand on the way we communicate by building off our foundation that has been laid and taking advantage of low hanging fruit. For instance, Thomas Square has so many great things going on weekly. If we were able to compile those events and amplify what's going on on our channels (ie - reposting the events from other local businesses or the 31041), this would accomplish a few things. One - let our residents know what's going on; two - have event organizers feel supported, building a relationship with them and garnering a sense of trust; and three - using that new trust to then amplify any of our messaging we might have to their audience when we need. This constant flow of support
ultimately builds community.

The intentionality around our messaging is also something for consideration. At the last board meeting one of the speakers spoke on an important topic and her main takeaway was to get involved. One of the residents eager to support then asked how to get involved and follow up. It made me realize people want to get involved but don’t necessarily know how. If we continue to use more actionable messaging, residents would be better
equipped to foster positive change.

Strategically scheduled community meet ups like "Neighborhood coffee mornings," "Happy Hours," and "Progressive dinners" are another way to foster engagement. We can leverage local businesses by rotating locations for these events, potentially utilizing their least profitable days. This not only supports local businesses but also provides a relaxed setting for neighbors to connect.

We can create a "Thomas Square Resident Rewards" program, offering exclusive discounts for TSNA members at participating local businesses. This would not only promote local business support but make residents feel like there is added value of living here, fostering a sense of pride in our neighborhood and a greater sense of community. Continue to hear from the community – conduct a shorter survey every six months to gather more frequent feedback from residents on key issues and to gauge their satisfaction with the neighborhood.

For just a little perspective, while it may seem concerning that our membership numbers and engagement has been down since Covid, it's important to note that since 2020, our neighborhood has experienced unprecedented change at a rapid rate with challenges that were previously present but require more attention now, such as affordable housing, traffic calming, and the preservation of our neighborhood's unique character. Fast forward to 2024, we have a more solutions-oriented board that feels aligned in our mission and engaged. With the dust feeling like it's starting to settle, I can see progress has been made and am confident in the direction we are going. We just need to continue building from the foundation we’ve laid and actively engage with our residents to ensure that Thomas Square remains a thriving and welcoming community for all.

What skills, connections, resources, or expertise do you bring to the table that will help TSNA navigate these rapidly changing times and serve the neighborhood effectively? 

As mentioned, my professional experience has equipped me with a strong foundation in strategic planning, relationship building, and community engagement. I've consistently demonstrated the ability to effectively navigate complex challenges, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and develop and implement successful strategies while maintaining a level-headed approach to decision-making.

Beyond my professional experience, my time in Savannah has allowed me to connect with many resources within our community. It also helps that I’m never afraid of getting my hands dirty or doing the hard work when needed. This active involvement has provided me with valuable insights into the needs and concerns of our residents and has fostered strong relationships within the neighborhood. I believe this combination of professional skills, a level-headed approach, and a willingness to pitch in when needed will be invaluable as the TSNA navigates the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact

If you would like to reach out to the candidate directly with any follow up questions they can be reached via email.

mrchrisjean@gmail.com