In Memoriam: Joe Scorcio, AICP

Joseph Anthony Scorcio, 67 of University Place, WA, and Palm Desert, CA, died on  February 14, 2024. Joe had a fulfilling career in the public sector retiring from the City of SeaTac in 2019 where he served as the Community and Economic Development Director prior to being appointed City Manager in 2016.

The largest portion of Joe’s career was spent with Pierce County serving in a variety of roles which his colleagues would describe as one special project after another. From 1984 to 2013, Joe held several positions including Planning and Development Director, Deputy Utility Director and Public Development Manager. He was involved in several projects that allowed him to utilize his planning expertise: from complex environmental and land use projects, public recreation facilities, pipelines, roads and other public works infrastructure to community engagement and outreach. 

Perhaps the most significant project was the Chambers Creek Properties. The County began acquiring the parcels that comprise the Properties in 1956 with the largest purchase being the former Lone Star gravel mine in 1992.  At 930 acres, few planners would have the opportunity to work on a project of this scale and Joe enjoyed working with the team of dedicated professionals, visionary leaders and the dedicated public who all contributed to the American Planning Association (APA) award-winning Chambers Creek Properties Master Site Plan. The Plan transformed the Properties from a barren wasteland into a place of incredible beauty, purpose and, most importantly to Joe, public access.  The subsequent Chambers Creek Regional Park & Trails and the Chambers Bay Golf Course (site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open Championships) created over four miles of public trail, opened two miles of previously unopened shoreline, linked the trails to the adjoining Chamber Creek Canyon, became home to the “Playground by the Sound”, “Bridge to the Beach”, and “Chauncy’s Spot of Shade”, a respite for people and pets along the Grandview Trail named in memory of a beloved dog.

Joe was a long-time member of APA and AICP, active on both chapter and national levels, serving as Director of the National Association of County Planners and founding Director and Secretary of the County Planning Division. He was a frequent speaker at national and state planning conferences and frequently served as a member, contributor, and/or co-chair of various committees and task forces.  Joe often described planners as “quiet zealots” working tirelessly to make our communities and our world better. The people who live, work, and visit the communities where he worked will be the beneficiaries of his vision and dedication for many years to come.