Mayor's Newsletter

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Mayor's Newsletter

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Mayor's Newsletter

1055 South Grady Way

Renton, WA 98057

Emailcommunications@rentonwa.gov

Mayor's Newsletter

My weekly newsletter covers all that is happening in Renton. If you have an idea, would like to share news, or want to comment, I’d like to hear from you.

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Vol. VI, Issue 2 / Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021

Drawing of Sunset Oaks Apts

Sunset Oak Apartments are one of four major projects now underway in the Sunset Neighborhood.

Economic Development continues to move Renton forward in 2021

Our Economic Development staff was instrumental in the distribution of just over $1.6 million in CARES Act grants to 225 businesses in 2020: 115 grants to minority-owned businesses; 110 to women-owned; and nine to those owned by veterans.

Staff used the expertise of the Renton Community Marketing Campaign and Renton Downtown Partnership to promote available services and goods via “Shop Local," “Meet Your Neighbor'” and the Visit Renton app.

Now they are overseeing large development projects designed to bring businesses and housing to our community.

(at left: Willowcrest Townhomes now under construction in the Sunset Neighborhood.)

One of the largest is the 200 Mill project on the site of the former city hall.

Artist renderiing of the new Top Golf in Renton

Ground will soon be broken on a Top Golf facility at The Landing.

There are dramatic changes underway in the Sunset Neighborhood. Late last year, the Sunset Neighborhood Center opened at the former site of Renton Highlands Library. This community resource and the Sunset Neighborhood Park, reopening later this month, will provide essential gathering points for the community.

Four significant projects, three scheduled for completion in 2021, are under construction.

Willowcrest Townhomes will provide 12 affordable three- and four-bedroom townhomes.
Sunset Oaks Apartments will add 60 studio, one- and two-bedroom units.
Sunset Terrace Apartments will add 108 market-rate, mixed-income studio, one- and two-bedrooms units; four townhomes; and storefront commercial space. This project is adjacent to the new Renton Highlands Library and across the street from Sunset Neighborhood Park.
Solera Master Plan will transform the Greater Hi-Lands Shopping Center into a mixed-use project including 550 affordable and market-rate apartments and 102 market-rate townhomes. It will change the look of the entire neighborhood.

Besides Renton’s physical landscape, six new art projects have popped up around the city over the past two months.

The Renton Loop (pictured at right) and Jimi's (Hendrix) Dragon mural downtown
Sunset Geo Mural and airplane-inspired artwork at Sunset Neighborhood Park in Sunset
"Community" mural in Cascade/Benson

All these projects were commissioned and supported by the members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, which also issued 26 grants last year. The commission’s dedicated work is invaluable to the development of public art in our city.

Even with all the challenges, 2020 was an impressive year for Renton and our economic development team. As we move into 2021, we will continue to see more projects designed to make Renton a more accessible and affordable place for everyone.

January is Mentoring Month in Renton

I've been a mentor for the past six years, and it's a rewarding experience. It's something I highly recommend to anyone interested in making a positive impact on a young person’s life.

Mentoring Month proclamation

As adults, we have so much to give. Mentors can inspire by sharing stories, encouraging dreams, and, most importantly, listening. It has been shown that mentors can help keep at-risk students in school. Mentoring also helps students develop their potential and work toward academic success.

We’re fortunate in Renton to have an organization like Communities In Schools of Renton-Tukwila (CISRT) to coordinate the mentoring program with students in Renton School District. If you’re interested, please contact CISRT to sign up.

Free grocery giveaway on Friday

On Friday, the Coalition of Filipino American Organizations of Washington (COFAO) and International Nutritional Sustainable Partnership will host a free grocery giveaway.

The event takes place at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall (501 S. 4th St., Renton, 98057) from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It is a drive-thru event.

Rolly Polintano, COFAO's president and event organizer, is a charter member of the Mayor's Inclusion Task Force. Rolly also organized last week’s highly-successful grocery giveaway at Renton Community Center.

Thank you Rolly, COFAO, and all those involved for coming together and helping our community with these giveaways.

2021 Newsletters

Weekly Newsletter

January 14

Economic Development continues to move Renton forward in 2021
January is Mentoring Month in Renton
Free grocery giveaway on Friday

January 8

News Year's Message
Work to start on the extension of Park Avenue North
International pageant brings recognition to Renton
Governor announces "Healthy Washington-Roadmap to Recovery"

2020 Newsletters

Weekly Newsletter

December 22

Mayor Pavone shares his 2020 holiday message. The mayor is joined by members of the Mayor’s Inclusion Task Force who offer their own holiday greetings in their native languages.

Task Force members appearing include Violet Aesquivel, Dr. Kevin McCarthy, present of Renton Technical College, Kevin Poole, representing Renton’s LGBTQ+ community, Preeti Shridhar, Duc Tran, Rolly Polintan, Monique Taylor Swan, Vasudha Sharma, Rev. Dr. Linda Smith, Rupinder Kaur, and Benita Horn.

December 17

Sunset Neighborhood Park ribbon cutting
"Shop with a cop"
City Council passes emergency ordinance
King County donates $25,000; will go to human services

December 11

District & School Board Leadership meet
Housing Action Plan studies housing needs
"Shop with a cop" is Friday
New parking/shopping options downtown
Amazon donates PPE
Mental Health Awareness Month

December 4

"Make yourself at home for the holidays"
Downtown construction project update
CARES funding benefits 225 Renton businesses
Washington Small Business grants available
Thanksgiving tradition continues
VanValey new CAO; Schuldt new chief of police

November 20

Shop local this holiday season
FAA allows 737 MAX to return to operation
Senior Center receives an additional $115,000
Council elects Corman and McIrvin president & president pro-tem for 2021
City makes COVID-related changes to holiday events
Governor caps third-party delivery fees

November 13

Support our small businesses
Public Works Winter Weather Preparations
Census self-response rate climbs to 75.1%
Budget for 2021 and 2022 approved

November 6

"Age-Friendly City" outreach
"Unity in Hope" multicultural festival
Veterans Day
Upthegrove opposes Renton site for county facility

October 30

Sunset Neighborhood Center ribbon cutting
Fire Chief Rick Marshall retires
Councilmember O'Halloran earns certificate of municipal leadership
Renton Housing Authority has CARES Act funding
"Age-Friendly City" community survey online
Sustainable Rentron needs our help
Economic Development presents "Back in the Game"

October 23

Renton earns "Age-Friendly" city status
Tourism Grants now being accepted
Eastside cities virtual job fair on Oct. 29
County establishes eviction prevention & rent assistance
State accepting applications for COVID-19 immigrant relief fund

October 16

City continues support of small businesses
This week is Affordable Housing Week
Virtual Multicultural Festival in Nov. 7 and 8
General Election ballots are in the mail

October 9

Renton allocates over $900,000 in COVID-19 human services funding
HealthPoint Clinic comes to Sunset Neighborhood
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Our Renton TV Debuts
Governor updates Safe Start reopening plan

October 2

Proposed 2021 and 2022 budgets presented to city council
Farmers Market ends successful 2020 season
PSE contest will benefit small businesses
Proposed county budget includes Renton RapidRide

September 25

Support our small businesses
Draft EIS for landfill support services center open
Kaiser Permanente donated $5,000 for SNAP at Farmer Market
REACH Renton celebrates 50 years in Renton
Chamber-sponsored COVID-19 funding

September 18

Community police survey
Making Renton accessible to all
Concealed pistol permits
Election Day is November 3; register to vote
Census 2020 - time is running out
Closing King County's technology divide
Chamber-sponsored COVID-19 funding

September 11
Honoring the victims of 9/11 on Patriot Day
Sustainable Renton's Free Grocery Store
One-day drive benefits food banks
ALERT Renton provides emergency updates
Business Plan for 2021-2026 adopted
City receives $100,000 flood control grant from county

September 4

This Labor Day is so different
Budget: City's financial health has improved slightly
Plans unveiled for former city hall property
Mayor's census challenge
Free COVID-19 testing site in Renton
Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meal Program

August 28

Kennydale reservoir construction is complete and scheduled to go online in spring of 2021
City's concern over county facility siting in Highlands
Chamber distributing PPEs

August 21

National Senior Citizen Day
Information System Update
Renton Census Countdown Day 2020

August 14

Renton Census Countdown Day
CARES funding for small businesses
Seniors receive donated face shields
Renton Regional Community Foundation

August 7

City to distribute over $900,000 in COVID-related funds
Food banks and shelters serving more
City gives away 25,000 masks; county mask event on August 11
Women's right to Vote Centennial Anniversary Day
Teleworking will continue

July 31

Census return rate tops 70%
Police launch community survey
K9 Zev remembered
Parade of Positivity

July 24

Primary Election
RAAP Meeting
Communities In Schools

July 17

Emergency ordinance expands outdoor business space
City Hall reopening plan unveiled
Projects will provide affordable housing
Renton leads all South King County cities in Census 2020 self-response rate
Pop-up blood drives collect 144 units

July 10

CARES Act funding for small businesses
Police Chief briefs council
K9 Zev passes away
Parks & Rec Month proclamation

July 2

Small business grants available from CARES Act
Mayor's July 4 message
Police Chief's July 4 message
Red Lion Free mask distribution
Blood donations needed

June 26

Coulon Park and Fourth of July
First CARES Act funds to be distributed
Face coverings mandated by governor

June 19

Juneteenth
"Philly Flag"
"Open for Business" Banners; Business resources
Free COVID-19 Testing a success
2020 Census Numbers
COVID-19 Relief Concert
Pop up Blood Drives

June 11

RAAP works to make Renton an informed & inclusive community
Praise for police officers Sangder and Thielman
COVOD-19 testing site open Saturday
Pop up blood drives coming to Renton
Farmers Market returns

COVID-19 Updates

May 1
April 29
April 28

April 24
April 22
April 20

April 17
April 15
April 13

April 10
April 8
April 6

April 3
April 1
March 30

March 27
March 26
March 25
March 24
March 23
March 22

March 20
March 19
March 18
March 17
March 16

Weekly Newsletters

March 12
March 6

February 29 (update)
February 28
February 21
February 14
February 6

January 30
January 23
January 16
January 9

Mayor's Newsletter wins National NAGC Award

NAGC national first place award

The Mayor's Newsletter has been awarded a 2018 Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award for First Place for External Newsletters by the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC).

The committee looked at submissions from all over the country and judged them on purpose, goals, objectives, target audience, and special factors.

CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON