Just two days after getting grilled by council about waterfront funding—see this AM's Fizz for the play by play—Seattle's Office of the Waterfront Director Jared Smith announced today that he's resigning. 

The $1.07 billion waterfront re-vamp is mired in uncertainty and MIA funding.

Mayor Ed Murray's office released the following statement this afternoon simultaneously announcing Smith's replacement, Marshall Foster, the city's planning director at DPD and prior to that he was the central waterfront coordinator. 

“Jared has done great work this year to improve coordination within city government and with our many partners on the Seattle waterfront redesign,” said Murray.  “I am especially grateful for his work to update our strategy to reconnect downtown to the waterfront while managing shifting timelines. He leaves the program with a much more strong vision and realistic budget.”

The Office of the Waterfront works with the City’s transportation, planning and parks departments, as well as City utilities and other agencies to coordinate the many components of the major redevelopment project. The office works closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Port of Seattle, waterfront businesses, other community and government organizations, and the public on City’s waterfront redesign.

Smith played a leading role to develop the proposed 2015-2016 budget for the City of Seattle Waterfront Program. The smaller program budget reflects the realities of the revised schedule due to delay in the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel.

Smith intends to do some traveling and spend time with family before exploring options for the next chapter in his professional career. 

Today, the Mayor appointed Marshall Foster as the Office of the Waterfront’s new Director. Marshall served as Seattle’s Planning Director for four years prior to joining the Mayor’s new Office of the Waterfront as Manager of Design, Planning and Public Engagement. He has been a key leader on the waterfront effort since 2009, and has extensive experience leading complex urban projects. He will oversee a team of engineers, landscape architects and project managers.

Murray cited Foster’s expertise in public engagement and urban planning as a key ingredient to the success of the project.

“This waterfront is an asset for the entire city,” said Foster. “We have an extraordinary opportunity to reinvest in this place where our city started. We will provide the roads and other infrastructure needed along Alaskan Way, as well as create new park space accessible to all. I’m honored to work with the many City departments, agency partners, and community leaders as we implement improvements over the next six years.”

Foster will assume his new responsibilities effective Dec.1^st.