 February 15
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On Monday evening, the city celebrated Lunar New Year with a reception, lion dance, and proclamation.
“2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Legend says this represents good fortune and luck in the year ahead. It is said the dragon has one requirement: to be kind and compassionate to one another before gifts of wealth and wisdom are distributed. I think that is the perfect message to remember this year,” said Mayor Armondo Pavone.
Asian community leaders, city councilmembers, and city staff attended a reception before the regularly scheduled city council meeting. Festive decorations, traditional Lunar New Year candies donated by Viet-Wah, food served from Renton business The Lemongrass, red envelopes, and a Lion Dance were present during the reception.
During the council meeting, Mayor Pavone issued a proclamation designating Lunar New Year Day in Renton. Community leaders Duc Tran, owner of Viet-Wah Market, and Michel Chen accepted the proclamation on behalf of Renton’s Asian community.
The official Lunar New Year Day for 2024 was celebrated on February 10 and is one of the most significant holidays worldwide, celebrating the new year and looking forward to the future.
From the city, we wish you all a prosperous and positive year ahead.
Join a board or commission! Openings available for Renton Municipal Arts Commission and Senior Advisory Board
The City of Renton has several active boards, commissions, and committees that serve in different capacities to support the mayor, councilmembers, and city staff in making decisions in specialized areas of interest. Currently, there are openings on the Arts Commission and Senior Advisory Board.
The Renton Municipal Arts Commission (RMAC) advises the mayor and city council on artistic and cultural development and oversees the design and acceptance of city-funded artwork. Commissioners work to enhance community engagement with arts and culture, increase funding opportunities, and advocate for arts education.
The Arts Commission has three openings, two adult and one youth. If accepted, members will serve a three-year term and must attend meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Applications are due by March 1. Interviews and selections will be announced in April. Apply online or print and return or mail the completed application to the Mayor’s Office (Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, 7th Floor, Renton, WA 98057).
For questions, please contact the city’s Community and Economic Development Department at 425-430-7271.
The Senior Advisory Board acts in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council on matters of particular interest to senior residents. Renton residents are eligible for appointment and are invited to complete an application and submit it to the mayor's office. Members are elected by persons active at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center.
The Senior Advisory Board has three openings. All applicants must be 50 years or older. If accepted, members will serve a three-year term and must attend meetings held on the first Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Applications are due by March 15. Interviews and selections will be announced in April. Apply online or print and return or mail the completed application to the Mayor’s Office (Renton City Hall 7th Floor, 1055 S. Grady Way Renton, WA 98057).
For questions, please contact staff at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center at 425-430-6633.
Public feedback opportunity: Help shape the surrounding area of the future South Renton Transit Center
The City of Renton invites the public to comment on three development alternatives for the area surrounding the future transit center at the corner of Rainier Ave S and South Grady Way.
In 2021, the City of Renton adopted the Rainier/Grady Junction Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Subarea Plan to create a vibrant commercial and residential district around the near-term transit center and bus rapid transit.
In time since the plan was adopted, staff have been hard at work to complete a planned action environmental impact statement (EIS). Once complete, the EIS and Planned Action Ordinance will allow for a more streamlined and predictable review process for projects within the planned action area boundary.
The proposed concepts include mixed-use development at scales exceeding current allowances, strong pedestrian and bicycle connections, new streets that create better access for all modes in the super-block referred to as “Renton Village,” a pedestrian-oriented internal main street, the creation of public open space upon utility easement corridors, and housing that accommodates a wide range of incomes.
The EIS evaluates three development alternatives for implementing the Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Plan and the potential impacts on the natural environment, land use and future growth, transportation systems and facilities, utilities systems and facilities, and public services. Likely adverse impacts are identified along with proposed mitigation measures. Staff is seeking input on the community’s preferred alternative and whether all likely adverse impacts are identified, and appropriate mitigation provided.
A public hearing will be held at the next Planning Commission meeting, scheduled for February 21, at 6 p.m. The public may attend via Zoom or in-person at City Hall in Council Chambers, 7th Floor.
All written comments should be directed to:
Paul Hintz, Principal Planner
City of Renton Community and Economic Development - Planning Division
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
For more project information, please visit the Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Planned Action EIS. The Draft EIS for the Rainier/Grady Junction TOD Subarea Planned Action is available for review online and at City Hall by visiting 1055 South Grady Way, 6th Floor, Renton, WA, 98057. USB drives are available for purchase at cost at City of Renton City Hall.
For more information, please contact Paul Hintz by email or phone at 425-430-7436.
Take the stage and participate in the 2024 Main Street Pitch Competition
Learn essential skills and compete to win prize money to build your business during Renton Downtown Partnership’s second annual Main Street Pitch Competition. The competition incorporates workshops to provide the necessary skills to take those first critical steps in starting a successful business and expanding an existing one, with the hopes of joining Renton’s downtown community, with a competition element that will result in three finalists rewarded with diverse prizes, encompassing both monetary and in-kind benefits.
The competition includes five workshops leading up to a live pitch competition:
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3/26: Competition Kickoff! Business Basics
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4/09: Business Plan Simplified
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4/23: Small Business Finances
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5/07: Marketing ++
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5/21: “Pitch Practice”
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6/11: Live Pitch Finale
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Last year, the four competition winners were Coby’s Café, Dong N’ Pony, Down The Ave, and Sweet Nothings and More.
Apply now for the competition. This free program welcomes existing businesses and startups. Workshops are open to all for knowledge-sharing, whether pitching or observing.
Prizes will be awarded to three first-place winners, one in each of the three business stage categories: Startup/Idea, Early, and Established.
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