 February 17, 2023
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Look around our city, and you’ll see construction cranes dotting the skyline. The city's landscape is changing because of housing, school, and retail projects.
Two of the most impactful projects will bring new housing options to the Highlands while advancing the goals of the Sunset Redevelopment Project:
 Solera
Solera Apartments at Renton Highlands (2816 Sunset Lane NE 98056) is a dramatic new addition to the neighborhood. Since the ground-breaking on August 31, 2021, considerable progress has been made.
- Structural concrete work is scheduled for completion by the end of the month.
- Framing has started on two of the four towers. Framing and roofing on all four towers are scheduled for completion by late fall.
- Interior metal framing has started.
- Work on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems within the parking garages continue, as does the installation of sewer, storm, and water systems.
When it opens in the summer of 2024, Solera will add 686 new residential units: 275 will provide affordable housing, 315 will be market-rate, and 96 will be townhome ownership. The project also includes approximately 39,000 sq. ft. of first-floor retail space and more than 1,000 parking spots.
 Sunset Gardens
Sunset Gardens (2900 NE 10th St. 98056) in the Highlands will provide 76 studio and 1-bedroom affordable housing units for veterans, persons with disabilities, and seniors in the Sunset Neighborhood. Half of the units are reserved for those at 30% of the AMI (Area Medium Income), with the other half at 50% of AMI.
Sunset Gardens is the first project in Renton to utilize funding from House Bill 1590. The bill, authorized by the state legislature in 2020, allows cities or counties to assess a 1/10 of 1% sales tax towards the construction of affordable housing units and mental health and behavioral health-related facilities. The project has received more than $150 million in funding from federal, state, county, and city sources. It's the seventh affordable housing and infrastructure project in the Sunset area since 2012. Each project is aligned with the vision identified by the Renton Highlands Task Force in 2007.
Near Renton City Hall, two other projects are underway.
 Home Depot
Renton's first Home Depot (901 S. Grady Way) will open in the remodeled Sam's Club this spring. The project includes a 109,800-square-foot main building and a 32,580-square-foot Garden Center. Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer, with over 2,300 stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
 Watershed Renton Apartments
Across the street from Renton City Hall, work is proceeding on Watershed Renton Apartments (625 Williams Ave. S). The project includes 145 studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments and first-floor retail. It will also include a public connection between S. Grady Way and Burnett Linear Park. Watershed Renton will open in early 2024.
 Hilltop Heritage Elementary School
Hilltop Heritage Elementary, Renton School District’s newest school in the Highlands/Sunset area, is set to welcome 650 kindergarteners through fifth graders this fall. Building structural work is complete, and the building is fully enclosed. Work continues on electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, and the parking lot.
 Mayor Armondo Pavone presents the Black History Month proclamation to Renton Technical College President Dr. Yoshiko Harden (right) and Franchesca ‘Fancy’ Vargas of Elevate PR Management (left).
 Mayor Pavone presents the Benson Bruins Day proclamation to 10U Head Coach Chris Vala (left) and Benson Bruins Junior Football and Cheer Club President B. Ron Burroughs (right).
Black History Month and Benson Bruins honored
We hosted an overflow audience at Monday night’s city council meeting to watch Mayor Armondo Pavone issue two proclamations.
The first officially designated February as Black History Month in our city. The mayor presented the proclamation to Dr. Yoshiko Harden, president of Renton Technical College, and Franchesca ‘Fancy’ Vargas of Elevate PR Management. Ms. Vargas’ company is one of the presenters of two events on Saturday at The Hyatt Regency-Lake Washington at Renton’s Southport. We have a list of Black History Month events, exhibits, and activities on our website.
The second proclamation honored a group of young athletes, their coaches, and parents for bringing home Renton’s first-ever national youth football championship. The U10 team from Benson Bruins Junior Football Cheer defeated a team from Maryland last December in Florida to win their age group. In their honor, Mayor Pavone designated Monday, February 13, as Benson Bruins Day in Renton.
 Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition starts on Tuesday
This Tuesday, February 21, is the first in a series of workshops designed in the inaugural free Entrepreneur Workshop & Pitch Competition. Current business owners and prospective owners seeking to open a location in the downtown area are eligible to compete for cash prizes.
Winners in each of the three categories will receive $5,000. In addition, $5,000 incentive bonuses will be given to the first three finalists who sign a lease for a downtown storefront by October 15, 2023.
The pitch competition includes five in-person workshops at the downtown Renton Library (100 Mill Ave. S) from 6-8 p.m.
- February 21: Competition Kickoff! Business Basics
- March 7: Business Plan Simplified
- March 21: Small Biz Finances
- April 4: Marketing++
- April 11: Pitch Preparation Drop-in Session
The finale will be a live pitch event at Renton Civic Theatre (507 S. 3rd St.) on April 18.
The three competition categories are:
- Startup/Idea
- Early
- Established
Registration and more information can be found on the downtown partnership’s website or by emailing director@rentondowntown.com.
The competition is sponsored by Renton Downtown Partnership, City of Renton, OneEastside, Port of Seattle, and Renton Chamber of Commerce.
 February is American Heart Month
Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but hearts are still in the news as February is American Heart Month.
Several CPR/AED training classes are offered by Renton Regional Fire Authority (RRFA) and other nearby fire agencies throughout the year. RRFA classes are held at Station 13.
 Attention artists: help us celebrate Erasmus
We're looking for creative individuals to submit their concepts for consideration in a commission for four small pieces of art.
Artists selected will be asked to create one original piece of art and will be compensated $200. The commissioned artwork will be part of a dragon-themed scavenger hunt, part of our celebration of Erasmus and our city's public art program.
Renton Municipal Arts Commission is administering the program and will review the artist's qualifications before selecting the individuals to commission.
To apply, please submit your qualifications as outlined in the Request for Proposals. Contest contact information is included in the proposal. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, and selected artists will be notified by Friday, March 3.
 Renton Leadership Foundation Scholarship applications are open
The City of Renton Leadership Foundation has established scholarships for dependents of regular (full-time and part-time) City of Renton employees and part-time (seasonal, two consecutive years or more) employees who are currently enrolled in higher education and no more than 24 years of age.
Applications are on the city’s Intranet or by emailing City Clerk Jason Seth.
Applications are due to Brianne Bannwarth before 4 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2023. Scholarships will be awarded before May 12, 2023.
Questions on the application process may be directed to Jason Seth at 206-635-6100 or via email at jseth@rentonwa.gov.
 Black History Month
Feb. 18 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 28 – Deadline for adding tiles to the Wall of Honor at Veterans Memorial Park.
March 1 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
March 19 – Music Sings, Music Dances, Renton City Concert Band, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. Second St.), 2 – 4 p.m. Tickets: $10 (adults), $7 (Students & 50+ Seniors). Tickets can be purchased at the Renton Community Center, Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, and at the door on the performance day.
March 21 - Mayor’s State of the City Address, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. Second St.), 6 p.m.
April 2 – Renton Downtown Dragon Pub Crawl, Rain City Market (700 S. 3rd St.), 1-4 p.m. Visit multiple stops (locations to come) for samples and specials downtown. Tickets include a commemorative cup and taste or drink specials. Tickets are $20 and increase to $25 on March 1.
April 5 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
April 15 – Shredathon and Rx Prescription Drug Take Back, Renton Memorial Stadium (405 Logan Ave. N), 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
April 15 – Dragon Dash 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk, 10 a.m. Open to competitive and fun runners, walkers, and families. Start downtown at Erasmus (826 S 3rd St.) and end at Henry Moses Aquatic Center. Early bird registration is open. Cost: $28 for 5K; $38 for 10K. Register before April 7 and receive a long-sleeved t-shirt.
 In other news this week
Below, a recap of news posted on the city’s social media accounts last week. You can find us (@cityofrenton) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Renton residents can also find us on Nextdoor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Arts in Renton
City Council (agendas, documents, and meeting video)
Parks Projects (Arnold, Coulon, Kiwanis)
Pet Microchipping (free for Renton residents)
Recreation Guide (current classes, activities, leagues & events for January to April)
Report issues via Renton Responds
Traffic Projects (information on impact projects)
This Week in Renton
This Week in Renton is posted on the City of Renton’s website where it can be translated. For additional translation services email communications@rentonwa.gov.
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Story ideas or comments: communications@rentonwa.gov
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