The East Link as Catalyst for Livability

Bio: Ben is a Program Manager in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Growth Management Planning Department, where he currently manages the region’s Growing Transit Communities project funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Regional Grant Program. Ben specializes in long-range land use and transportation planning, regional growth management policy, intergovernmental affairs, and performance monitoring and policy assessment. Ben oversaw the development of VISION 2040’s Regional Growth Strategy, and led the public outreach and environmental justice analysis associated with the development of that plan. Ben also served in a lead role in the development of Transportation 2040, the region’s metropolitan transportation plan. Ben has been with the PSRC for 13 years.

Education: Bachelor of Arts (English),University of California, Santa Barbara Master of Urban Planning,University of Washington

Past Assignments: "Partnerships that Deliver Thriving Communities." New Partners for Smart Growth (Kansas City, MO), 2013. "Innovative Regional Partnerships: Mirage or Reality?" Rail~Volution (Los Angeles, CA), 2012. "Advancing Equity Through Transit Corridor Planning." Sustainable Communities Leadership Academy (Denver), 2012. "Health in Central Puget Sound Regional Planning." WSDOT Public Transportation Conference (Bellevue, WA), 2012.

Bio: As the Comprehensive Planning Manager for Bellevue, Washington, Paul works with the Bellevue Planning Commission on a range of planning issues, including light rail, affordable housing, and the revitalization of neighborhood centers. He has recently been leading planning efforts to establish one of the most significant transit oriented communities on the West Coast, leveraging the implementation of light rail. Paul’s extensive career has included public and private sector employers working for communities throughout the Puget Sound region and serving as President of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Education: Paul has an undergraduate degree in design and planning from the University of Washington and a masters in business administration from Seattle University.

Bio: Senior Transportation Planner at the City of Bellevue, Washington Currently managing the Downtown Bellevue Transportation Plan Update which will integrate multi-modal mobility needs with livability expectations in a plan that accommodates residential and employment growth out to 2030. Previously (2005-2009) worked on the transformative planning process for the Bel-Red Subarea - a 900-acre area in the heart of Bellevue where light rail investments can support land use change. Managed the Factoria Area Transportation Study which was an effort to reconcile the capacity of the transportation system with the anticipated development. Involved extensively in policy development related to transportation, land use and the urban environment. A resident of Seattle and currently serving as a member of the Seattle Planning Commission.

Education: Master of Urban Planning, University of Washington Bachelor of Science, Forest Management, University of Washington

Past Assignments: APA 2009 National Planning Conference: New Neighborhoods on Industrial Acreage APA 2009 Idaho Chapter: New Neighborhoods on Industrial Acreage APA 2010 Washington Chapter Conference: Embracing Transit in Central Puget Sound: Challenges and Community-Building Opportunities ITE Washington State Section 2012: Downtown Bellevue Transportation Plan Update

Bio: As Policy Planning Manager for the City of Redmond, Washington, Lori Peckol leads a team of 5 planners to implement the community’s vision through a variety of projects and programs involving land use, housing, historic preservation, neighborhoods, transportation, capital facilities, and annexation. As a practitioner with more than 20 years experience, Lori has focused on planning and implementation projects at the neighborhood, city, county, and regional level as well as with the private sector. Lori's planning experience includes land use, housing, transportation, economic development and capital facilities.

Education: Master of City and Regional Planning, Ohio State University Master of Arts, Public Administration, Ohio State University Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Ohio State University