 May 19, 2023
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The women and men of the city's Public Works Department work around the clock to protect our residents' and businesses' health and safety through access to vital services. In recognition of their dedication, Mayor Armondo Pavone will designate May 21-27 as National Public Works Week in Renton at Monday night's Renton City Council meeting.
From streets to water to recycling services, the department works together to plan, engineer, construct, and operate public infrastructure and conducts programs to help us achieve our livability, safety, and economic growth goals.
In addition, in 2021-2022, the department was awarded just over $49 million in grants from county, state, and federal sources to help fund 16 projects.
Here’s a quick look at each part of our Public Works Department:
Facilities: Maintenance of systems and cleaning of city buildings, including Renton Community Center and Banquet Space, Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, Highlands Community Center, and North Highlands Community Center.
Maintenance: The maintenance services division maintains 753 miles of roadway, 318 miles of water mains, 233 miles of sanitary sewer collection systems, and 290 miles of storm water conveyance systems, collects roadside debris, provides utility location (811) services, fixes water leaks, performs preventative flood maintenance, preserves sewer mains using closed circuit television, maintains all city vehicles and equipment, manages the Solid Waste Utility’s litter control program, and purchases supplies. In addition, they protect the over 2 billion gallons of drinking water used annually by residents and businesses.
Renton Municipal Airport: The Renton Municipal Airport is the only airport in the area with land- and water-based runways. The facility has a 5,382-foot runway from which every Boeing 737 has flown. Total takeoffs and landings in 2020-2021: 132,462.
Sustainability and Solid Waste: Besides partnering with Republic Services for recycling, organics (food and yard waste), and garbage collection, the staff oversees special recycling events, the Clean Sweep program, and solid waste collections. They oversee Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, a program to prevent waste and save residents and businesses money while protecting our planet.
Transportation: The transportation division plans, designs, constructs, operates, and maintains the City’s transportation infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, and bridges. This includes maintaining traffic signals (135), street lights (5,154), traffic signs (20,270), and street striping (345 miles).
Utility Systems: This group plans, designs, constructs, operates, and repairs city utility infrastructure and conducts programs to deliver safe drinking water, remove wastewater, reduce flood hazards, protect public health and environmental resources, and comply with all regulatory requirements. They assist in the review and permitting of developer projects and perform GIS mapping and management of the city utility assets. The division provides service to 18,212 water customer accounts, 19,110 wastewater customer accounts, and 24,688 surface water customer accounts.
You will also see Public Works staff at city events lending a hand with setup and takedown and grilling a delicious hot dog or hamburger. These unsung heroes are on call 24/7 to serve our residents, and even though their work often goes unseen, their contributions are immeasurable.
 Open House: Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan on June 6
Updates and information about several projects recommended by the Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan will be provided at an open house on Tuesday, June 6, from 3-7 p.m. in the Renton Pavilion Events Center. It runs concurrently with the Renton Farmers Market opening day in Piazza Park. Free parking is available one block away at the City Center Parking Garage. Refreshments will be provided, and there will be a scavenger hunt for an exciting prize.
On display will be information on five active Civic Core projects, with opportunities for community members to engage with staff and interactively provide feedback at several project stations, including:
The Renton Connector: Continuous non-motorized facility along Burnett Avenue South (westside) between South 2nd Street and South 5th Street via separated walkways, protected bicycle lanes (cycle track), and a multi-use path. The Connector includes landscaped medians, reconfigured public parking, ADA standard curb ramps, and traffic signal improvements.
Arts & Culture Space: Collaborative effort to transform and activate vacant ground floor commercial space in the City Center Parking Garage (along Logan Avenue South) into community space for Renton’s growing artistic and cultural small businesses.
Downtown Streetscapes: Appearance and safety improvements to sidewalks and street areas fronting the downtown’s commercial buildings and public amenities. Work started in 2017 and includes development of design standards and guidelines and conversion of Wells and Williams avenues to two-way traffic. In 2021, Wells Avenue South (between 2nd and 3rd) received new scored sidewalks, lighting, trees, landscaping, street furniture, street banners, flower baskets, and holiday lighting. Design work is proceeding on the 200 block of Williams Avenue S. (2nd to 3rd streets) and the east side of 400 Burnett Avenue S. (4th to 5th streets) with similar treatments.
Pavilion Market & Food Hall: Renovating an underutilized publicly owned facility and transforming it into a vibrant marketplace for residents, an incubator space for small businesses, and a central gathering space for the growing and highly diverse community of Renton. The city has received a $1.5 million Small Business Administration Federal Grant to support the creation of this unique experience in Downtown.
Downtown Wayfinding: Coordinated signage to identify district boundaries, amenities, and attractions. Installed are Gateway Monuments at South 3rd Street/Rainier Avenue South and South 4th Street/Burnett Avenue South and a Pedestrian Directory Kiosk at Piazza Park (South 3rd Street/Burnett Avenue South). The next phase includes approximately 20 signs for vehicles and pedestrians. The design of the signs includes a nod to Renton's history and character.
Lake to Sound Trail: A 16-mile non-motorized, multi-use recreational trail spanning from the south end of Lake Washington in Renton, all the way to the shoreline of Puget Sound in Des Moines. This trail will be connected directly to Downtown Renton via Burnett Ave South and The Renton Connector, as well as King County’s network of regional trails system.
The Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan was adopted by Renton City Council in 2018 after a series of community meetings and online input. Its goal is to take advantage of the future possibilities and opportunities for the downtown area, from activating public spaces and streets to increasing the attractiveness for new and expanded business activity.
 Mayor Armondo Pavone presents the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month (May) proclamation to Lele (Happy) Tian and members of the AANHPI community.
 Mayor Pavone presents the Safe Boating and Paddling Week (May 20-26) proclamation to Debra Alderman and Susanne Chambers of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Proclamations
Mayor Armondo Pavone has proclaimed May Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The proclamation was accepted by Lele (Happy) Tian and members of the AANHPI community.
The proclamation celebrates the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through their enrichment of our history, society, and culture, while acknowledging the challenges and struggles they face.
The mayor also proclaimed May 20-26 as Safe Boating and Paddling Week in Renton.
Debra Alderman and Susanne Chambers of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Renton Flotilla, accepted the proclamation. With rising temperatures leading to increasing water-related activities, they reminded us that most of the 650 people who die annually in boating-related accidents could have been saved by using better judgment, including wearing life jackets.
Please, next time you’re in a boat, on the river, or at the lake, take a moment to ensure you, your family, and your friends are safe.
 Event recycles nearly 13 tons of metal and Styrofoam
Last Saturday’s Recycle Event served over 411 residents and kept over 12.24 tons of metal and 1,190 pounds of Styrofoam from our landfills. Keeping these materials circulating in the economy produces new products and green jobs. In addition, 100 pounds of non-perishable foods were collected and donated to The Salvation Army Rotary Food Bank.
The next Recycle Event is Saturday, June 10, at Renton Technical College’s North Parking Lot (NE 6th Place & Monroe Avenue NE) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our Sustainability and Solid Waste unit will be collecting mattresses, box springs, cardboard, Styrofoam, and tires.
 Renton River Days Movie Night
Renton River Days
Renton’s annual family festival and community celebration returns to its pre-COVID three-day run of familiar family-friendly events, plus exciting new ones on July 21-23.
Parade: Applications are being accepted for participation in the Renton River Days parade, sponsored by Brotherton Cadillac, on Saturday, July 22, at 10 a.m.
Sponsorship: Promote your company and build community. Email rentonriverdays@rentonwa.gov to become a festival sponsor.
Summer Bazaar: Vendor applications are being accepted for the 2023 Summer Bazaar, at Renton Community Center, Friday through Sunday.
Community Booths: Booths are available for non-profits. All participants must provide an activity that represents families, children, and senior populations.
 Major roadway construction projects
 Mondays – Free Community Grocery Store, St. Matthews Church (1700 Edmonds Ave. NE), 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Presented by Sustainable Renton.
Free Museum Days – First Wednesday and third Saturday monthly, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 19 – Pop-Up Lunch, 126 Logan Ave N, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., sponsored by SOS/Food Lifeline Pop-up. Free.
May 20 – Neighborhood BBQ, Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Hwy), 12 - 3 p.m. Theme: Grad Party & Job Fair.
May 23 – Free Scout Night hosted by Renton Regional Fire Authority and Renton Police Department, Fire Station 14 (1900 Lind Ave. SW, 98057, 6 - 8 p.m. For all Renton community scouting, youth explorer, and adventure groups (through 5th grade). Pre-registration is required.
May 24 – Pop-Up Lunch, 300 Rainier Ave. N, 12-1:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Emergency Feeding Program. Free.
May 26 – Pop-Up Lunch, 126 Logan Ave N, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by SOS/Food Lifeline Pop-up. Free.
May 29 – Memorial Day Ceremony, Veterans Memorial Park (1000 S 3rd St.), 1 p.m.
June 6 – Renton Farmers Market, Opening Day, Piazza Park (233 Burnett Ave. S), 3-7 p.m. Market is every Tuesday through Sept. 26.
June 6 – Downtown Renton Civic Core Vision and Action Plan Open House, Renton Event Center (233 Burnett Ave. S), 3-7 p.m. adjacent to Renton Farmers Market. On display will be active projects recommended by the Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan. Your input can help design a new greenway trail and arts/culture space. Refreshments will be provided and there’s a scavenger hunt.
June 7 – Renton Career Fair, Renton Technical College, Roberts Campus Center (3000 NE 4th St.), 3-6 p.m.
June 10 – Mattress, Box Spring, Cardboard, Styrofoam & Tire Recycling, Renton Technical College Parking Lot (NE 6th Place & Monroe Ave. NE), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Non-perishable food items collected for distribution to Renton-area food banks.
June 11 – Juneteenth Celebration Concert, Renton City Concert Band, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S 2nd St), 2 p.m. Renton City Concert Band with conductor Michael Simpson. Tickets are $10 (adults) and $7 (students & 50+). Tickets can be purchased on the day of the performance or before at Renton Community Center, Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center.
June 23 – Neighborhood BBQ, Cascade Elementary School (16022 116th Ave SE), 4 - 7 p.m. Theme: U.N. Public Service Day.
June 25 – Reclaiming Our Greatness, Juneteenth Celebration, Liberty Park (1101 Bronson Way), 12-5 p.m.
July 19 – Neighborhood BBQ, Renton High School (400 S 2nd St.), 5 - 8 p.m. Theme: Celebrate Renton!
July 21-23 – Renton River Days.
August 12 – Cruz the Loop, Renton Pavilion/Piazza Park, 6-9 p.m. Early bird registration is $30 through 9 a.m. on July 12 and is $40 through August 4 or until the event is full.
Sept. 9 – Styrofoam & Document Shred Recycling, Renton Technical College Parking Lot (NE 6th Place & Monroe Ave. NE), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Non-perishable food items collected for distribution to Renton-area food banks.
 In other news, this week
A recap of the news posted on the city’s social media accounts. 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
Bronson Way Bridge project
City Council (agendas, documents, and meeting video)
Parks Projects (Arnold, Coulon, Kiwanis)
Pet Microchipping (free for Renton residents)
Rainier Avenue S Phase 4 construction project
Recreation Guide (current classes, activities, leagues & events for May to August)
Report issues via Renton Responds
RPD Youth Academy (June 26-28. Free for middle school students)
Summer Employment Opportunities
Traffic Projects (impactful traffic 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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