I got to meet and briefly talk to the new Public Works Director tonight after the city council meeting. He was very cordial and didn’t hold my previous post about him against me. Although he doesn’t call it “new urbanism,” he does espouse the same beliefs, including pedestrian-friendliness, mixed-use, context-sensitive solutions, bringing more residential options downtown, etc. I’m much more optimistic about him now that I’ve met him.

I was also told that Planning & Growth Director Pat Landes and Second District Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken did question the candidates extensively about their experience with older neighborhoods and new urbanism principles. So I have a greater comfort level with the process.

Even though at 57 years old he’s probably not going to be a long-term employee (he’ll likely stay fewer than 10 years), he will be responsible for hiring some key positions in the next few years, and the selection committee would like him to fill those positions with an eye toward succession planning — in other words, put someone second in command who can take over for Barber when he leaves. So keep an eye on whoever emerges as the No. 2 person in Public Works.