Letter To The Editor: New Downtown Library is a 'Tremendous Opportunity'

As you know, last year the voters of Renton approved an annexation into the King County Library System (KCLS) which was designed to accomplish two objectives.  To help the City reduce its ongoing library expenses and at the same time increase library services by partnering with one of the best operated library systems in the country.  We have already seen improvements in the delivery of services and content of information provided through the libraries with the improvements completed to date by KCLS.  

As a part of the original vote for the alignment with KCLS, Renton agreed to construct and pay for two new KCLS libraries.  The City of Renton can accomplish this very easily by issuing bonds for the cost of construction, and then reallocating approximately $ 2 million per year that is currently spent on funding current library operations and redirect those funds to retire the debt created from the costs associated with the construction of two new libraries.

The City has completed a thorough review of sites and has opted to purchase the Big 5 Building on Third Street in Downtown.  For the City and its citizens it is a tremendous opportunity.  In addition to having a significantly improved library operation, the downtown core will enjoy the additional benefit of much needed economic development through the construction of a new library building.  When you combine the library building with its new location to the beautifully renovated Piazza, the cornerstones of a new surge of economic development will be in place.  The increase in foot traffic in this, the heart of Renton, will serve the City, its residents and businesses well and will stimulate additional economic activity.  The current library building that spans the river will be the subject of a public process to determine the future use that will best serve the interests of all Renton residents.

The Renton Chamber of Commerce is vitally concerned with the well being of the community at large and the vitality of the businesses that serve Renton and its citizens.  A strong retail core in our downtown is clearly an objective we can all understand and support but that takes economic investment which has slowed in recent years.  This is a tremendous opportunity for the City to accomplish many positive goals for all of us who call Renton home and those business people who have believed in, invested in and work in Renton. Businesses will clearly view this investment in the downtown as positive and it will certainly impact Renton's ability to attract other successful businesses and new economic development.

Attached is the “Downtown Renton Library” Frequently Asked Questions to provide additional detailed insight.  We are asking businesses, business owners, property owners and citizens who understand this very important opportunity to attend a City Council meeting and let your voice be heard.  The Council meeting schedule going forward is as follows: meetings are at 7 p.m. on the 7^th Floor of Renton City Hall and audience comment usually happens within the first 30 minutes.  These dates are May 23, June 6, June 13 and June 20.   If you are unable to make any of these meetings please drop a note either to the Council as a whole or to the Mayor directly.  The City Council can be emailed collectively at: Council@rentonwa.gov.   The Mayor’s email address is: dlaw@rentonwa.gov.

Thank you for taking the time to review this issue.  It is important to the City of Renton’s future Economic Development and to our businesses.  The Renton Chamber is here to serve its members and Renton citizens.

Sincerely,

John Galluzzo

Chairman of the Board

Renton Chamber of Commerce