Imagine having a coffee shop, small eatery, or even a neighborhood corner store in your community. The City of Renton is exploring ways to bring small-scale businesses like these into residential neighborhoods, making it easier for residents to access everyday goods and services.
We would love to hear your thoughts on allowing commercial uses in your neighborhood. Take our quick three-question survey and one-question poll to share your input.
How neighborhoods might benefit!
- Convenience & Accessibility: Provides easier access to goods, services, and other destinations within walking distance
- Community Building: Creates spaces for gathering and social interaction
- Economic Vitality: Supports local business growth and entrepreneurship
- Health & Sustainability: Encourages all forms of mobility as an alternative to driving, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions
As our Community & Economic Development Department look at ways to bring small shops into neighborhoods, we want your input!
Your feedback will help inform the staff recommendation presented to Planning Commission to determine allowed locations, types of businesses, hours, signage, parking, lighting, waste collection, etc.
Learn more at the project’s Your Voice Renton page.
Renton River Days Recap
Thank you for joining us at Renton River Days this year! Over 25,000 people joined us for last weekend’s city-wide celebration with 2,700 people showing up for the parade alone!
Whether you joined us for Friday’s beautiful sunset and drone show, celebrated with us all weekend long, or stopped by for just a moment, we hope you were able to experience the heart of Renton.
Share your thoughts about Renton River Days with us! Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey and help shape the future of Renton River Days.
Congratulations to all of the winners at the festival!
Parade winners:
- Mayor’s Choice Award: “City of Renton Adaptive Recreation Program”
- Judges Choice Award: “Baby Dolls Drill Team”
- Parade Winner: “Body Language Studio’s”
- Parade Winner: “Renton High School Football”
- Parade Winner: “Iron Patriots Robot Walk”
- Parade Winner: “AmPowering presents Queens of the Universe with Miss Universe, Mrs. Global Asia and Miss India”
- Parade Winner: “Hazen High School Marching Band”
- Parade Winner: “Seafair Clowns”
Chalk Art Competition winners:
- 1st Place: Raven J.
- 2nd Place: David C.
- 3rd Place: Sarah D. & Peter N.
- People’s Choice Winner: Davina L.
Rubber Ducky Derby winners:
- 1st Place: #3156
- 2nd Place: #2752
- 3rd Place: #4276
- 4th Place: #1240
- 5th Place: #3162
- 6th Place: #4407
Pickleball tournament:
- Champions (Women’s) – M&M
- Runner Ups (Women’s) – The Pickle Shanks
- Champions (3.5+) – Poach Pirates
- Runner Ups (3.5+) – Fun First
- Champions (3.0-3.25) – Dinkle
- Runner Ups (3.0-3.25): Maybe a Dinking Problem
ALERT Renton raffle winner:
If you won a prize during River Days and have not been contacted, please connect with us at communications@rentonwa.gov.
Didn’t make it to this year’s River Days? Join us for next year’s big 40th anniversary celebration!
Photos from the weekend can be found at rentonwa.gov/riverdays.
Seafair Weekend
Seafair Weekend Festival is Friday through Sunday, August 1-3. Hosted by the nonprofit Seafair, this longstanding festival regularly draws large crowds to Lake Washington. Here are some things to know:
Blue Angels
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will continue flying over Lake Washington as part of Seafair. They practiced twice earlier today and will fly again from Friday, August 1 to Sunday, August 3, daily at 3:35 p.m. Expect increased noise in the area during flights.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Boat Launch
The Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park’s boat launch parking lot will be in high demand during Seafair, with activities happening on and around Lake Washington.
City of Renton staff will be on duty at the boat launch to help direct traffic. Due to the increased number of boaters returning to the boat launch, no launching will be allowed after 2 p.m. this Sunday, August 3. The launch will re-open after the incoming boat traffic subsides.
Renton Airport
The Renton Municipal Airport will have Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) from Thursday, July 31, through Sunday, August 3. During this time, the airport will be conducting routine maintenance operations on the runway at the following times. The airport will remain open, and the taxiways will remain active.
- Friday, August 1: 11 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
- Saturday, August 2: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
- Sunday, August 3: 10:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Renton Police Youth Academy
Over four full days, the Renton Police Department (RPD), alongside partner agencies, gave 36 middle school students the opportunity to explore public safety careers through various engaging hands-on activities and learning experiences.
The program, known as Renton Police Youth Academy, allowed students to meet with officers, special agents, firefighters, and medics, and even take an up-close look at a helicopter.
Some additional highlights included a K9 demonstration, vehicle tours, crime scene investigation, a combat challenge, recreational time with officers, and a graduation ceremony.
Thank you to all the partner agencies, community supporters, and generous local businesses for your support and collaboration, helping RPD offer this program at no cost to families!
Thank you to the King County Sheriff's Office, Newcastle Police Department, DEA, Washington State Patrol, FBI - Seattle, Renton Regional Fire Authority, Zone 3 Fire Cadets, Seattle Police Latent Print Unit, Valley SWAT, American Medical Response, Mercer Island Police, and the Port of Seattle Fire Department for contributing to the presentations and activities.
Additional thanks to the local businesses that kept students energized throughout the week, and to Renton Parks and Recreation for providing space and pool access.
Upcoming night work on South 7th Street
South 7th Street between Shattuck and Burnett will be closed beginning, Monday, August 4, nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for up to 5 nights. Detour routes will be marked.
Contractor crews will be completing final improvements including:
- Installing lane striping and the cycletrack markings
- Installing two street lights
- Installing a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the crosswalk near Walmart
- Performing final touchups and clean-up
Recently completed work includes:
- Street paving
- Installation of the concrete sidewalk, multiuse trail, and crosswalk
- Landscaping and irrigation installation
This project is scheduled to be completed in August. We appreciate your continued patience as we complete the final stages of the South 7th Street Corridor Improvements Project.
Talks on the Block with Mayor Armondo Pavone
This week, Mayor Armondo Pavone and city staff attended the first Talks on the Block events hosted by the Historic Renton Hill and Rolling Hills neighborhoods.
These Talks on the Block events give residents the opportunity to connect directly with city leaders where they can share ideas, concerns, issues, and visions for Renton’s future.
Topics discussed during this kick-off event included how Renton attracts new businesses, neighborhood safety, and more.
Want to host a talk on your block? Get your community together, choose a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evening that works, and put in a request at rentonwa.gov/talksontheblock.
Join for an evening at Sno-King Ice Arenas
Get ready for a night of icy excitement next Saturday, August 9, from 7–9 p.m.!
Sno-King Ice Arenas is partnering with the City of Renton’s Parks and Recreation Department to host Frozen Fun Fest, a FREE community ice skating event filled with music, games, and chilly fun for all ages.
Whether you're stepping on the ice for the first time or you're a seasoned skater, there's something for everyone:
- Free public ice skating
- Free skate rentals
- Music, games & photo ops
- Family-friendly fun
- Mini skating performance
- Local vendors
Online pre-registration is required, and spots are limited! Register today and don’t miss your chance to join the coolest event of the summer!
Summer Meal Program provides free lunch, snacks, and activities to children aged 1-18 at various places around the city. rentonwa.gov/summermeals.
The Renton Farmers Market has MOVED! Find the market at its new temporary location on Williams Avenue South between South Second Street and South Third Street. The market is open every Tuesday until September 30 from 3 – 7 p.m. rentonfarmersmarket.com.
The 2026 Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Plan is looking for your feedback. Learn more and fill out the survey at rentonwa.gov/pros.
Renton City Council meets every Monday (excluding fifth Mondays and holidays) at 7 p.m. at Renton City Hall’s seventh floor council chambers. Find the agenda and sign up to speak at rentonwa.gov/council.
August 2 – McCaffrey-Neilson Tournament, 8 a.m. Maplewood Golf Course, 4050 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by Ed McCaffrey and Gordy Neilson Memorial Golf Tournament and Renton Parks & Recreation. Register now.
August 6 – Secrets of Wizards Show with Jeff Evans, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation and King County Library System. Free.
August 9 – Frozen Fun Fest, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sno-King Ice Arenas, 12620 164th Ave SE. Hosted by Sno-King Ice Arena in partnership with Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. Register here.
August 14 - Family Fun: Music in the Park with Marco Cortes, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Kiwanis Park, 815 Union Ave. NE. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation and King County Library System. Free.
August 14 - Summer Concert: Between 2 Gregs, 6:30 p.m. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Kidd Valley Stage, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free.
August 16 - Renton Artist Studio Tour, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Perfect Fit Framing, 309 S. Third St. Hosted by Renton Municipal Arts Commission. Free.
September 13 - Recycling Event: Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, Document Shred, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Renton Technical College Parking Lot #3, 3000 NE 4th St. Hosted by the Public Works Department. Free.