Transit and cycling advocates are applauding Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s pick to lead her efforts to boost non-car transportation in the city.
Wu announced that Jascha Franklin-Hodge, currently the executive director of the Open Mobility Foundation and onetime chief information officer for the city under former Mayor Marty Walsh, will be Boston’s next “chief of streets” on Tuesday.
The position oversees both the public works and transportation departments, giving whoever holds it power to both plan and implement changes to the city’s roads and sidewalks, crucial to Wu’s hopes to grow transit and cycling as a way to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and traffic.
“Safe, healthy, vibrant neighborhoods depend on connecting our communities to Boston’s opportunities and possibilities,” Wu said in a statement. “I’ve had the chance to work alongside Jascha in City Hall and in the community. I’m thrilled he’ll be returning to City Hall with his expansive vision, organizational expertise, and commitment to delivering change.”
Franklin-Hodge will take his new post in January. Outside of his work in government, he has been a longtime advocate for sustainable mobility and an active board member of the LivableStreets Alliance advocacy group.
Advocates welcomed news of his appointment.
“You sure know how to pick ’em, Ms. Mayor!” Institute for Transportation & Development Policy Boston Program Manager Julia Wallerce wrote on Twitter.
“I’m incredibly excited about this appointment. Jascha’s appointment affirms @MayorWu’s commitment to building an equitable AND innovative transportation system in the City of Boston,” Transit Matters Executive Director Jarred Johnson tweeted.
“WOW. This is an EXCEPTIONAL choice by @MayorWu! We’re about to see major change in how we think about and use our streets,” Grafito SP principal and Alliance for Business Leadership board member Gustavo Quiroga tweeted.
“Under Mayor Wu’s leadership, we have the opportunity to reshape our transportation system to make getting around Boston more convenient, address historic and ongoing inequities, and improve safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users,” Franklin-Hodge said in a statement provided by the mayor’s office. “I’m honored and excited to rejoin the City as Mayor Wu’s Chief of Streets, and to serve alongside the talented teams at the Boston Transportation Department and Public Works as we do this important and urgent work.”
