Atlanta Names A New Transportation Head
Mike Stewart / Associated Press
Atlanta has a new transportation commissioner.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Josh Rowan’s appointment to lead the newly created Transportation Department at a press conference on Wednesday. Rowan, a former construction executive, had been the general manager of Renew Atlanta, the city’s $250 million infrastructure improvement program. He also brings 24 years of experience in program and construction management.
The move is part of Bottoms’ ONE Atlanta Strategic Transportation Plan, which she also unveiled Wednesday. The three-year plan includes $200 million in infrastructure projects. Rowan said the words “safety” and “beautiful” came to mind when he read the plan. He said public places tell the city’s story.
“Think about the nexus that transportation has with other initiatives within the mayor’s One Atlanta agenda specifically affordable housing,” Rowan said. “To move people back into the city and provide transportation choices, that is a beautiful thing.”
City chief operating officer Josh Williams said the city had been “insufficient” and “lacked coordination” in addressing transportation issues.
“What this organization will focus on over the next three years as we strive to become more efficient, more effective, and more thoughtful in how we spend our taxpayer dollars,” he said.
In the past, the City Planning Department’s Office of Mobility, Public Works Department, and Renew Atlanta had handled transportation projects separately. Now, all three entities will be under the Transportation Department.
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