Transforming Gray to Green in the Right-of-Way: Blurring the Lines ... Softening the Edges

This paper discusses collaboration for change management of stormwater management in the right-of-way. The cultures of Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) (i.e. stormwater management), Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Department of Planning and Development (DPD) have historically been very different. The three departments are now key partners in the implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) such as roadside bioretention systems and permeable pavements. To encourage the implementation of LID throughout Seattle, the City is lowering the barriers through several angles and departments: SPU is updating the stormwater code; SDOT, with SPU input, is updating the Right of Way Improvement Manual; and DPD is implementing new landscaping requirements, tree protections, and a coordinated review process for green building projects. Traditional planning, design, construction and maintenance are all being reinterpreted. In combination, Seattle is innovating a green toolkit via a series of regulations, design details, procedures and policies that simplify building green in the City. This paper focuses on the greening in the right-of-way and associated overlap from private properties; starting from the outside edges of the right-of-way.