Downtown Update 2023 with the Downtown Kissimmee Council

Event Sponsors

Hear from City of Kissimmee Deputy City Manager Desiree Matthews at the Downtown Kissimmee Council's annual Downtown Update. There are many exciting changes coming to Downtown Kissimmee, and attendees will also enjoy presentations from Rick Lewellyan with Downtown Gather & Grow and Stephen Liberty with SkyView Properties - the company bringing us The Allen, Downtown Kissimmee's latest residential project.

A hot breakfast from Big John's Rockin' BBQ is included.

About Desiree Matthews
Desiree S. Matthews has been with the City Manager’s Office since 2001—previously serving as the Assistant to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager. She was promoted to Deputy City Manager in August 2011.

As Deputy City Manager, Matthews is responsible for assisting the City Manager with day-to-day operations of the organization, including overseeing Parks & Recreation, Public Works & Engineering, Information Technology, and the City's various social service programs and initiatives.

Desiree received her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University and her Master's in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

About Rick Lewellyan
Rick Lewellyan has been involved in real estate for the grocery industry for three decades. Downtown Gather & Grow is the culmination of his learning and experience. Combining Smart Growth with full-service grocery in urban centers creates a gathering place. Rick’s perspective is that when you combine people, places, and food – Third Places -- human connections are created, i.e. COMMUNITY.

About Stephen Liberty
Stephen manages day to day operations for Onex Real Estate Partners / SkyView Companies. Stephen’s responsibilities include overseeing field personnel, risk management, project and systems controls, and accounting for the development and construction process. Stephen has recently relocated to central Florida to establish SkyView Companies’ southern base of development operations.
Stephen most recently oversaw the construction operations for The Urban, a $65 million mixed use development in Flushing, Queens. Prior to that Stephen oversaw project controls for the $925 million mixed use Skyview Parc Phase I and $490 million Skyview Parc Phase II projects in Flushing, New York.
Stephen has been in the development, construction management and accounting fields for over 30 years. Prior to Joining SkyView Companies, Stephen was Director of Project Control at ITT Sheraton Corporation and was responsible for project controls for over $1.5 billion in hotel, casino and retail projects under the ITT Sheraton and Caesars World brands. Stephen is a graduate of Cornell University.