The city of Grand Rapids welcomed its new city manager to town this week as Mark Washington’s tenure officially began Monday. Originally from Texas, Washington served as Austin's assistant city manager with a total of 23 years of public service on his resume. His first day on the job Monday in Grand Rapids comes after an exhaustive search by the Grand Rapids City Commission for a new city manager that lasted months and included multiple candidates.
Replacing Greg Sundstrom who retired in February, Mark Washington becomes the first African-American City Manager in Grand Rapids history, and says, he doesn’t take that distinction lightly.
“That means a lot not only to me personally and my family," Washington said. "I think it says there are possibilities that can be achieved, as long as people are willing to give others a fair opportunity to be successful. It’s an accomplishment to be named the first Africa-American city manager. But I am not here just to be the first African-American City Manager, I am here to manage the city.”
Washington inherits a city that is facing a list of challenges. On Tuesday at a welcoming press conference, Washington discussed his plans to address racial inequity, tackling the affordable housing crisis, and improving police and community relations.
“We know we have our challenges before us," he said. "So I am going to be assessing the community needs, the priorities of our commissioners, as well as the organizational needs over the next three to four months.”
City Commissioners will hold a public, swearing-in ceremony at 6 p.m. next Tuesday where the public will have a chance to meet him.
