Washington D.C. Hires a New Director of Planning

Washington D.C. made a high-profile hire to run its Office of Planning: the former director of community and economic development of Salt Lake City, Eric Shaw.

1 minute read

January 7, 2015, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"DC mayor Muriel Bowser will appoint Salt Lake City's former director of community and economic development, Eric Shaw, to run the DC Office of Planning," according to a post by David Alpert on Greater Greater Washington.

Alpert cites multiple sources in confirming the hire, although Shaw has not yet been announced publicly as the new head of planning for the District. According to Alpert, "Shaw has experience with DC, having worked here as a Capital City Fellow in 2000, when Anthony Williams was mayor."

As for Shaw's track record in Salt Lake City, Alpert notes a focus on engagement: "When he started work in Salt Lake City in 2012, Shaw told the Salt Lake Tribune that he wanted to focus on drawing more people in the planning process, "like engaging immigrants that have been underrepresented."

Shaw will have to follow in the footsteps of Harriet Tregoning, who concluded a seven-year tenure in the position in February of last year. Tregoning earned the nickname "futurist-in-chief" during her time at the helm of Washington D.C.'s Office of Planning. Ellen McCarthy has served in the role during the final months of Vincent C. Gray's time as mayor.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 in Greater Greater Washington

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