SDOT’s Scott Kubly resigns as Seattle shakes up leadership

Scott Kubly has resigned from his position as director of the Seattle Department of Transportation.

“From housing to homelessness to transportation, our city faces a number of urgent challenges,” Mayor Jenny Durkan said Friday. “Our residents and businesses expect our officials to make progress and deliver results, and this administration will be accountable to the people we serve.”

“I want to thank Scott for his service to Seattle and wish him well as he pursues new opportunities,” she said. “In a time of unprecedented growth, Scott set the stage for a significant increase in multi-modal investments in our city, which will have an impact for decades to come.”

RELATED: Seattle police chief Kathleen O’Toole steps down

Durkan is appointing Goran Sparrman as interim director of SDOT, effective Jan. 5, 2018. Sparrman was previously interim director and deputy director of SDOT, and is the former director of transportation for the City of Bellevue and Portland.

Mayor Durkan plans to launch a national search to find Kubly’s permanent replacement.

“Goran is well-respected leader and has immense experience as an engineer, manager, and planner in our region — I know he will execute over the months to come on my top transportation priorities,” Durkan said. “Our region has been trying to catch up to its transportation needs for decades, and the next few years will be critical for creating more safe, efficient and well-connected transportation choices that make it easier and safer for residents to get around on foot, by bike and via mass transit. With a number of significant projects in the pipeline, the next leader must be well positioned to deliver on investments, improve bus service, effectively implement light rail expansion, and prioritize our maintenance backlog.”

Scott Kubly

Kubly became Seattle’s director of transportation under former Mayor Ed Murray. He has overseen the implementation of the now failed Pronto bikeshare service, as well as the three stationless bikeshare companies currently being tested in town.

He sparked controversy after violating city ethics rules — he failed to report a conflict of interest with a bikeshare company he once worked at. That same bikeshare company was hired to oversee Seattle’s Pronto system. Kubly was fined $5,000 for the violation, but the fine was suspended.

Recently, he was being considered for the city manager position in Austin, Texas, but was cut from a list of finalists for the job.

Seattle shakes up leadership

Kubly’s resignation comes as Seattle’s leadership is experiencing considerable change. Jenny Durkan took on her role as mayor early in the wake of Ed Murray’s resignation.

Since Durkan won the November election, Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole has stepped down. Durkan also announced that CEO of Seattle City Light Larry Weis was resigning after she met with him to discuss priorities.

Kubly’s was not the only resignation announced Friday. Patricia Lally, the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, is resigning. Mariko Lockhart will be the interim director for the Office for Civil Rights effective January 3, 2018.

“Patricia has fought for civil rights for decades and I know she will continue her work to advance social justice,” Durkan said. “Our city can and must do better to address institutional and structural racism in our government. I have worked with Mariko and know she is committed to addressing true equity across education, affordability, and the criminal justice system.”

Mayor Durkan’s office also announced a number of officials who will remain in their positions at the city:

• Dwane Chappelle, Director of the Department of Education and Early Learning
• Fred Podesta, Director of Finance and Administrative Services
• Catherine Lester, Director of the Seattle Human Services Department
• Rebecca Lovell, Acting Director of the Office of Economic Development
• Steve Walker, Director of the Office of Housing
• Cuc Vu, Director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

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