Renton Mayor Publishes Weekly Newsletter

Press release from the City of Renton:

October 16, 2020

Mayor's Newsletter

In my weekly newsletter I cover all that is happening in Renton, including the most current COVID-19 updates and information from state and federal officials and agencies.

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COVID-19 Resources

The city has compiled resources from several city, county, state and federal entities into a comprehensive COVID-19 page.

• City COVID-19 information

Issue: 66 / Friday, Oct. 16, 2020

Cugini Florist has expanded retail space into their parking lot taking advantage of an emergency ordinance. City continues support of small businesses

No one area of our city has been hit harder by COVID-19 than our small business community. So far, we’ve seen more than 40 small businesses close, and those that remain open are operating amid concerns for their future. As a city, we are continually working to ease those concerns.

Late last month, we distributed almost $1.4 million in CARES grants to 188 qualified Renton small businesses. The funds cover COVID-19 related expenses.

Several businesses have taken advantage of an ordinance the city passed in July, allowing them to expand their retail onto the sidewalk or onto an adjacent parking lot. This expansion aligns with Phase 2 of the governor’s “Safe Start Plan” and increases the number of customers they can serve. These areas can be used for sales, pick-up, and, in the case of restaurants, additional seating.

Last month we announced our partnership with Renton Chamber of Commerce and One Eastside to raise funds for Renton small businesses through Chip-In. It’s like GoFundMe, but Chip-In does not take a cut. Each dollar donated will support local Renton businesses meet payroll, keep their lights on and doors open.

Our small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods and a source of community pride. They’ve been enduring an unprecedented time. We’re asking all of Renton to step up to support each other in these times. Never has it been more important to “shop local.”

This week is Affordable Housing Week

We proclaimed Oct. 12-16 as Affordable Housing Week in Renton. All of us should have access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing within our city. That all our residents live with dignity in safe, healthy, and affordable homes is a goal we are working towards every day.

City leadership is working collaboratively to develop affordable and workforce housing for Renton residents with a diverse group of organizations: Renton Housing Authority, South King County Homeless and Housing Partnership (SKHHP), non-profit partner organizations, Homestead Community Land Trust, Challenge Seattle and Habitat for Humanity, and private developers and partners including Microsoft. We are moving aggressively to meet the challenge of housing affordability and have several new projects that are planned or underway:

• Sunset Oaks, a 60-unit rental housing project under construction in the Sunset Neighborhood by Renton Housing Authority
• Willowcrest Townhomes, a 24-unit townhome complex by Homestead Community Land Trust
• Sunset Gardens, a proposed 75 affordable rental units for elderly/veterans on the site of RHA’s current headquarters in the Sunset Area.

We are developing a Housing Action Plan and a Community Needs Assessment to ensure public investment is maximized and meets our residents’ needs. These plans will focus on near-term solutions to increase housing availability and affordability. The Housing Action Plan includes input from an advisory committee of community and housing stakeholders from private and non-profit sectors. Their recommendations will go to the City Council for adoption.

An exciting new proposal we are working on is creating a set of model plans that Renton property owners can acquire from the city for backyard cottages and carriage houses. These plans are pre-designed and pre-engineered and ready for approval in a streamlined permit process at little to no cost. The city plans to roll out this program very soon. We’ll keep you updated as we work through the process.

Virtual Multicultural Festival on Nov. 7 and 8

For the past four years, the Renton Multicultural Festival has celebrated the cultural diversity that is the very fabric of our city.

COVID-19 has prevented the festival that you’ve come to know, but we’re holding the next best thing: a virtual festival. This year’s theme is “Unity in Hope.” It will feature the same outstanding performances, with some extras like cooking demonstrations. There’s also the added benefit of viewing from the comfort of your home.

We’re looking for videos from various performers who best share their culture and individuality under our “Unity in Hope” theme. We are giving preference to Renton residents and businesses.

If you’re interested in participating, please go to the festival website and fill out an application. If you need assistance creating a video, plan to come to Carco Theatre on Oct. 24 and 25 for videotaping. If you have a video, please submit by Nov. 1. Details are on the website.

The festival will premiere on our YouTube channel on November 7 and 8 and will also be on Channel 21 in Renton and embedded on our website.

General Elections ballots have been mailed

The 2020 General Election is less than three weeks away. Ballots were mailed earlier this week to King County voters and ballot boxes opened yesterday.

There is still time to register online or check your registration. It’s as simple as going to votewa.gov. The deadline to register online or return a paper registration form by mail is Monday, Oct. 26. In-person registration is allowed through election day at anyone of seven Vote Centers. Each of these locations also allows you to vote.

We have General Election information available on our website.

Items of Interest

Supporting our small businesses through Chip-In

Renton is excited to work with Renton Chamber of Commerce, OneEastside, and Chip-In to raise funds for Renton small businesses through tax-deductible contributions. Think of it like GoFundMe, but Chip-In does not take a cut. Each dollar donated will support local Renton businesses meet payroll, keep their lights on and doors open.

Comment period on draft EIS for proposed county facility in the Highlands closes October 30

The county is accepting comments on their draft environmental impact statement on a proposed Renton site for a Cedar Hills Regional Landfill support facilities center. The window closed on October 30.

PSE contest will benefit small businesses

Puget Sound Energy is offering four small businesses a $45,000 energy-efficient and cosmetic upgrades makeover. Businesses have under October 18 to enter PSE's Small Business Energy Makeover contest. Contest entrants must be small businesses operating within PSE’s service area.

COVID-19 Quicklinks

• COVID-19 - resources and information from city, county, state, federal and private entities.
• Key Indicators of COVID-19 Activity in King County
• Statewide requirement to wear face coverings
• Public Health - Seattle King County COVID-19 Dashboard
• Renton COVID-19 Testing Site
• Get tested if you have any of these symptoms
• Washington State Coronavirus Information

This press release was produced by the City of Renton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.