OGDEN — One of the key motors behind Ogden’s efforts to revitalize the city’s worn corners and to boost economic development has stepped down.

Tom Christopulos, who worked nearly 15 years for the city and last served as community and economic development director, stepped down last week. City leaders on Monday formally launched efforts to find a replacement, posting advertisements announcing the open spot.

“It’s just slowing the pace down,” said Christopulos, 67. He also wants to pass the reins on to a new generation.

Christopulos and his office have been key in many efforts to bolster and revitalize the city. A statement from the city noted his role in developing Business Depot Ogden, Ogden Business Exchange in western Ogden, Riverbend Ogden south of the Ogden River and west of Washington Boulevard, and The Junction, the entertainment area in the city center.

He also helped direct housing development efforts like the Stone Hill Homes subdivision where the ex-Dee Elementary once stood and the Oak Den Bungalows development. Both are in central Ogden and the projects were aimed at adding luster to some of the city’s tired residential areas.

“It’s a really important position to our city,” said Mark Johnson, chief administrative officer to Mayor Mike Caldwell. “Tom’s hard to replace.”

Broadly, the varied initiatives to revitalize Ogden over the last 20 years or so — during and even before Christopulos’ tenure with the city — have reshaped Ogden in many ways, Johnson said. Brandon Cooper holds the deputy economic development post.

“The city’s almost a completely different city in a lot of ways by the things that have happened,” Johnson said.

Christopulos said he saw his role as “creating community opportunities,” like jobs and affordable housing. Redevelopment was a tool in achieving the goal.

Christopulos, who lives in Layton, is weighing his alternatives at this stage of things, mulling doing consulting work and possibly writing a book on economic development geared to political leaders. “I don’t know if retirement in the traditional sense is what I’m going to do,” he said.

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