State Sen. Dave Cortese presented a resolution on Friday to Jim Spering — who recently retired from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission — recognizing his contributions to the Bay Area’s transportation system, and the region as a whole.
"His impact on transportation and the access he has given to those in the Bay Area and beyond will continue to be felt," said Cortese, a former MTC Commissioner, noting Spering always put the region first.
Notably, Spering was the longest tenured commissioner on the MTC, beginning his service in 1987 and retiring earlier this year.
"His dedication to our region, the Bay Area, leaves a legacy worthy of recognition and admiration," Cortese said. "We all deeply appreciate his work to make transportation more accessible, as well as the space he has made for community voices in the region...Thank you Mr. Transportation for your dedication and service."
Spering spearheaded the creation of MTC’s Transportation for Livable Communities, or “TLC” program, which is dedicated to making better connections between transportation investments and land use decisions. Spering’s leadership also was instrumental in MTC’s adoption of a pioneering transit-oriented development policy, which calls for dense housing around future transit hubs financed with regional discretionary funds.
More recently, Spering chaired the 32-member Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force convened by MTC to make the Bay Area’s public transportation network more connected, more efficient, and more customer-focused in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spering also served as Mayor of Suisun City from 1986 to 2006 and was elected to the Solano County Board of Supervisors in June of 2006, with his term ending in February of 2023. During his time in public service, Spering also chaired the city's Redevelopment Agency, where he led a nationally recognized redevelopment program centered on the Old Town Waterfront and historic Main Street Shopping District.
Using the latest in New Urbanism design philosophy, Suisun City reinvigorated its waterfront by reintegrating public uses with the city marina, historic rail depot, public promenade and harbor plaza.
He also has earned recognition for his contributions to regional planning, starting with transportation and later expanding to sustainable climate, housing and development, amongst other regional issues.
In addition to the state resolution, a separate video honoring Spering was shown at MTC and can be can be viewed here.
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