Renton Mayor Publishes Weekly Newsletter For January 14, 2021

Press release from the City of Renton:

January 14, 20201

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

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.

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

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.

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