Meet Seattle's new transportation director: Greg Spotts

After an extensive search, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has found the city's next transportation director — Greg Spotts.

Spotts was announced as Seattle's new transportation director at El Centro de la Raza on Beacon Hill this week.

Spotts, 54, is currently Executive Director and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services.

“In Los Angeles we have 99 neighborhoods,” Spotts said. “And over the past 14 years I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with each and every one of them on projects to improve quality of life.”

One of those projects includes applying solar reflective coating on street blocks, and planting 2,000 trees to reduce urban heat impacts in underserved neighborhoods.

“I wasn’t sure if the rainiest city in the United States needed my expertise in urban heat island, but this week is making me wonder if that might come in handy,” Spotts said.

Spotts vowed to work with Seattle neighborhoods to improve mobility and make streets safer. To do that, he plans to launch a listening tour around the city. That means talking a walk, bike, and transit, while asking residents what’s working and what needs improvements.

Spotts will begin his new post in September as acting director until his confirmation by the City Council.