“It’s bittersweet,” Staton said on stepping down. “It’s been a fabulous run of more than 16 years.”

Staton’s tenure is the second longest in the city’s history, behind only Jack Patriarche, who served for nearly 30 years.

Under Staton’s leadership, the city has weathered declining state revenue sharing, while at the same time making efforts to revitalize downtown development projects, including the initial City Center I.

Development on that area’s successor, City Center II, has stretched over the better part of 10 years and has not been without challenges – the latest among them was the recent revelation that the head of the project’s development company, Scott Chappelle, owes nearly $500,000 in personal taxes.

Staton remains optimistic the city soon will be able to set the project’s finances in order.

“I think we’re very close to determining sort of once and for all whether or not the vision that we’ve had for 10 years can become a reality,” he said. “I’m very optimistic it can.”

Current city officials said they’ll be sad to see Staton leave.

“(Staton’s) been a pillar of this community for 16 years now,” said Councilmember Nathan Triplett. “He’s served East Lansing with great distinction, and it’s been a tremendous pleasure working with him .”

Councilmember Kevin Beard said Staton has provided strong leadership and financial accountability during difficult economic times.

“I think (Staton’s) financial savvy over the years has served us very well,” he said. “It’s not an easy thing to do — many communities are struggling, but East Lansing … is not in the dire straits that many other cities are in.”

East Lansing Mayor Vic Loomis has worked with Staton since the mid-‘90s and said his colleague has been invaluable to the city’s development.

“(Staton has) clearly helped lead this city to a higher level on many fronts, both in the level of service provided to citizens in the area of financial administration and community amenities,” Loomis said.

Staton also has worked closely with the university during his tenure, even going so far as to work with other city officials to implement the University Student Commission, an 11-member panel featuring students who serve as university representatives to the city.

Some students appreciate the steps Staton has taken to involve the MSU community.

“(Staton) was always a champion for students,” said Steve Marino, incoming chairman of ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government. “(He) always made sure that the students were included in the process.”