After the Seattle City Council returns from its summer recess after Labor Day, one task in front of it is the confirmation of the next director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Earlier this month, Bruce Harrell’s pick to lead the department, Greg Spotts, appeared virtually before the council transportation committee and introduced himself with a brief speech. But it looks like the lion’s share of the council’s vetting has happened in writing, with answers to a long set of questions already sent back to the committee in advance of his next appearance on September 16.
What are some of the biggest things we learned from Spotts’ answers?
We’ll be seeing Spotts out in the field a lot
In Greg Spotts, SDOT will be getting an SDOT Director with a Twitter account who looks pretty eager to show what he’s encountering on his travels around the city, on and off the clock. Spotts tells the council that one of his top priorities will be to “[c]onduct an extensive listening tour to walk, bike, roll and ride transit with staff and constituents, inviting stakeholders to show me what’s working well and what needs improvement… This outreach will also extend to goods movement and the Port.”
The Port plays a major role in partnering with the city on big transportation projects, providing funding for everything from the West Seattle Bridge to the new Lander Street overpass in SoDo. Freight advocates, including those at the Port, have pushed back on improvements across the city intended to benefit other modes, like the new West Marginal Way protected bike lane and upgrades to the Route 40 bus corridor.
SDOT has created a website to request a walking tour with the new Director. Spotts is also extending those invitations to the city council. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get to know each of you, not just through regular formal briefings, but through exploring your districts with you in person. I’m interested in every aspect of the neighborhoods you represent — not just the streets but also the parks, the small businesses, the housing types, the history and the aspirations of each community. In Los Angeles I’ve had the privilege of collaborating continuously with 15 City Council members and their staff. It’s wired into the way I approach daily business.”
Much like former City Engineer Dongho Chang illuminated things happening in the city via his Twitter account (still active from his post at the state), Spotts documenting his time out on city streets will likely subtly influence policy direction at SDOT, highlighting areas of focus. Based on Spotts’ prior experience in Los Angeles, I would expect the subject of the city’s tree canopy and mitigation of heat impacts to be a frequent topic.
