photo by: Nick Krug

As the sun goes down, a combination of lights from street lamps, cars and holiday decorations illuminate Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence in this 2015 file photo.

Downtown Lawrence Inc. has officially begun its search for a new leader.

The nonprofit organization responsible for promoting the downtown district is seeking a new executive director after Andrew Holt left that position this summer to take a similar role with Downtown Topeka Inc.

“This is a high visibility, high impact position,” Blaine Carver-Allmond, president of the DLI Board of Directors, said in announcing that the search for a new executive director had begun.

The DLI board has been meeting over the summer to further define the executive director position, and agreed that it will “lead advocacy efforts, strengthen relationships across key partner organizations such as the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Explore Lawrence, the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Kansas and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), and drive innovative marketing initiatives to attract residents, visitors, and investment to the district.”

The position also will oversee membership efforts of the organization, which is supported through member dues and also various grants and governmental support. Applications for the position are being accepted through downtownlawrence.com through Oct. 7. A timeline for when the position is expected to be filled hasn’t been announced.