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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 4330CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION N0.4330
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE
RENTON DOWNTOWN CIVIC CORE VISION AND ACTION PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City began the process of developing a plan for the Civic Core and
Downtown areas in the fall of 2016; and
WHEREAS, the plan has been developed with extensive public outreach and in
conjunction with residents, business and property owners, downtown and other non-profit
community organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, the plan sets the vision and organizing themes for improving the Civic Core
and Downtown areas over the next 10 years; and
WHEREAS, the plan identifies strategies and actions to facilitate the implementation of
projects to achieve the vision; and
WHEREAS, the plan is compatible with the intent of the City's adopted Comprehensive
Plan and City Center Community Plan; and
WHEREAS, this matter was duly referred to the Planning Commission for investigation
and study, and the matter was considered by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on November 15, 2017,
considered all relevant matters, and heard all parties in support or opposition, and subsequently
forwarded a recommendation to the City Council;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
SECTION I. The City Council hereby adopts the Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision
and Action Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 8th day of January , 2018
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 8th day of January 12018
Approved as to form:
Shane Moloney, City orney
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De is Law, Mayor
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Acknowledgments
A special "thank you" to all who participated in this planning process. We appreciate your comments and support.
Mayor Denis Law
Ray Giometti
Technical Advisory Committee
North Renton Neighborhood
Chief Administrative Officer
Chris Arkills
Jay Covington
Dalen Harrison
King County Department of Transportation
Renton Downtown Partnership
City Council
Misty Baker
Nick Hill
City Finance Division
Council President Armondo Pavone
Renton Downtown Partnership
Leslie Betlach
Council President Pro-tem Ed Prince
June Lu
City Parks Planning & Natural Resources Division
Eagle Home Mortgage
Randy Corman
Kelly Beymer
Bruce McIntyre
City Community Services Department
Ryan Mclrvin
South Renton Neighborhood
John Collum
Ruth Perez
Armondo Pavone
City Downtown Liaison
Don Persson
Renton City Council
Jan Hawn
Carol Ann Witschi
Betsy Prather
Administrative Services Department
Renton Historical Society
Jennifer Henning
Planning Commission
Martin Regge
City Planning Division
Renton Planning Commission
Chair Angelina Benedetti
Cheryl Scheuerman
Lys Hornsby
City Utility Systems Division
Vice Chair Kevin Poole
Piazza Renton
Cailin Hunsaker
Michael Drollinger
Tim Searing
City Parks and Golf Course Division
Renton Parks Commission
David Fleetwood
Michael Kirk
Gene Sens
City Facilities Division
Roxanna Johnson
Red House Beer & Wine Shoppe
David Korthals
Michael O'Halloran
Dave Smith
King County Metro
Western Hotel and Old City Hall
Martin Regge
Cliff Long
Dr. Linda Smith
City Economic Development Division
Charles Seil
SKY Urban Empowerment and
Jamian Smith
Transformation Center
Angie Mathias
City Planning Division
Pam Teal
Community Advisory Committee
Renton School District
Maggie McGehee
King County Metro
Vicky Baxter
Pat Tucker -Dolan
Renton Chamber of Commerce
Piazza Renton
Carrie Nass
City Neighborhoods, Resources
Angelina Benedetti
Rich Wagner
& Events Division
City Center Community Plan Advisory Board
Baylis Architects
Carrie Olson
Dave Brethauer
Renton Farmers Market
Cortona Building
Jon Schuldt
Clymer
Mary Y
City Police Department
Renton Municipal Arts Commission
Jim Seitz
City Transportation Systems Division
Maryjane Van Cleave
City Recreation Division
Chip Vincent
City Community and Economic
Development Department
Gregg Zimmerman
City Public Works Department
Project Team
Project Lead John Collum
Community Development Project Manager
Leslie Betlach
Parks Planning and Natural Resources Director
Jim Seitz
Transportation Systems Director
Focus Group Attendees
Business & Property Owners
Dave Brethauer, Cortona Building
Charles Divelbiss, St. Charles Place Antiques
Nick Hill, Antiques 4U;
Renton Downtown Partnership
Ross Hudspeth, Four Generals Brewing
David Kimura, Kings Chapel Church
Katrina Koruga, Salvation LLC
Melinda Lawrence, Whistle Stop Ale House
Jennifer Leverton, 4 Sisters Holistic Remedies
June Lu, Eagle Home Mortgage
Aleana & Scott McMurray,
Chaun Tao Kung Fu
Larry Mroczek, MBA Seattle Auction House
Tiffany Penton, Sweet P Beauty
Gene Sens, Red House Beer & Wine
Shoppe; Renton Downtown Partnership
Gary Slotnik, Garland Jewelers
Bernie Thueringer, Pacific Glass, Inc.
Focus Group Attendees
Renton Chamber of Commerce &
Renton Downtown Partnership
Angelina Benedetti,
City Center Community Plan Advisory Board
Brent Camann, SECO Development
Nick Hill, Antiques 4U
Cliff Long, City of Renton
Paul McFadden, Paratex Pest Control
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Focus Group Attendees
Commercial/Residential Brokers
Lloyd Ball, Anomaly Commercial
(Keller Williams)
Reba Haas, Team Reba-Re/Max Metro Eastside
Justin Sult, Anomaly Commercial
(Keller Williams)
Focus Group Attendees
Developers for 1:1
Dave & Monica Brethauer, Cortona LLC
Charlie Conner, Conner Homes
Emily Heenan, Winson Investment
Kevin Sokoloski, BDCL Design International
Rocale Timmons, SECO Development
Wei Zhang, Winson Investment
Focus Group Attendees
Downtown Civic Activities
Group (City Staff Only)
Leslie Betlach,
Parks Planning & Natural Resources Division
Kelly Beymer, Community
Focus Group Attendees
Downtown Civic Activities
(Non -Profit and Event Organizers)
Ben Andrews, Renton Downtown Partnership,
Renton Municipal Arts Commission,
Renton Chamber of Commerce
Services Department Laurie Beden,
Maryjane Van Cleave, Recreation Division Renton Library Advisory Board
Angelina Benedetti,
John Collum, Economic Development Division City Center Community Plan Advisory Board
Jennifer Henning, Planning Division
Elizabeth Higgins, Arts Liaison
Cailin Hunsaker, Parks and
Golf Course Division
Michael Kirk, Facilities Division
Cliff Long, Economic Development Division
Angie Mathias, Long Range
Planning Division
Carrie Nass,
Neighborhoods, Resources & Events Division
Carrie Olson, Farmers Market
Millie Phung,
Economic Development Division
Jon Schuldt, Police Department
Liz Stewart, Renton History Museum
Chip Vincent,
Community and Economic
Development Department
Laura Clawson, Renton Historical Society
Amy Eggler,
King County Library System
Paul Hebnon, Arts Unlimited
Don Hunsaker, Renton Historical Society
Lynne King,
Renton Library Advisory Board,
Renton Historical Society
Lawrence Reymann,
Renton Parks Commission
Dana Rochex
City Center Community Plan Advisory Board
Marsha Rollinger,
Renton Municipal Arts Commission,
Arts Unlimited
Mitch Shepherd, Renton
Municipal Arts Commission
Pat Tucker -Dolan,
Piazza Renton
Sybil Turner,
City Center Community Plan Advisory Board
Kim Unti,
Renton Library Advisory Board,
Renton River Days
Johnny Williams, Hands for the Nations
Marlene Winter, Renton Parks Commission
Focus Group Attendees
Renton High School Students
Consultants
MIG Inc.
Fehr and Peers
Leland Consulting Group
Strategic Planning Concepts
International, LLC
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Table of Contents
Executive Summary...............................................................i
Introduction..........................................................................1
Context................................................................................2
Community Generated Solutions.........................................3
Vision for the Renton Civic Core and Downtown .................5
Organizing Themes..............................................................7
Sustain
Activate
Create
Strategies............................................................................13
Design and Development Strategies
DDS 1: Improve Urban Design to Encourage Strolling
and Increase Visual Interest........................................................14
DDS 2: Provide Active and Engaging Public Spaces .......................17
DDS 3: Integrate Art into the Civic Core and Downtown ................32
DDS 4: Create Safe, Green and Attractive Streets ..........................34
DDS 5: Support Small Businesses and Downtown Living .................34
DDS 6: Increase Economic Activity and Business Attraction .............36
Transit Planning Strategies..........................................................38
Parking Management Strategies................................................41
Public Facilities Management Strategies...................................43
Organizational Strategies............................................................44
Implementation...................................................................47
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 1.1 Level of Intervention........................................................
9
Fig 1.2 Urban Form + Opportunities..........................................15
Fig 1.3 Parks and Open Space....................................................18
Fig 1.4 Renton Connector Plan View..........................................26
Fig 1.5 Bicycle Access + the Arts Trail........................................33
Fig 1.6 Street Types + Parking Access........................................35
Fig 1.7 Downtown Transit // Short -Term Routing ......................39
Fig 1.8 Downtown Transit // Long -Term Routing .......................40
StreetSections.....................................................................65
Wayfinding...........................................................................71
Downtown Renton Layover Alternative Locations ................79
UNDER SEPARATE COVER
Public Engagement Summary
Additional Resources (Food Carts Memorandum, Boise Downtown Housing Strategy and
Market Analysis, Public and Business Improvement Areas (PBIAs))
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RENTON DOWNTOWN CIVIC CORE VISION AND ACTION PLAN
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Introduction and Context
The Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and
Action Plan (Plan) began as a request from
the City of Renton Mayor and City Council
to address plans to relocate transit layovers
(where buses park and wait until service
continues) to a new station at Rainier Avenue
S. and S. Grady Way. This focused question
about an important location in the Civic Core
expanded into a much broader conversation
about not only the future possibilities of the
Transit Street, but about Downtown public
spaces, streets, connections to the Cedar River
and trails, and increasing the attractiveness for
new business activity in the entire Civic Core
and Downtown area.
To South Renton Transit
Center and City Hall
The Plan provides specific actions that takes
advantage of the future possibilities and
opportunities for Renton's Downtown. Some
of which include:
• Assessing and re -imagining public spaces
like the Piazza and Pavilion, and connecting
those spaces through an expanded regional
trail system to local destinations.
• Building upon the emerging restaurant and
retail clusters that can support the significant
population growth predicted for the area.
• Celebrating the racial diversity of Renton as
an opportunity to become a cultural center.
.'Burnett
Linear
Park
`. North . _To Cedar River
To Cedar
River Trail
Conceptual view of the Renton Connector (looking north) that integrates the North and South Burnett Linear
Parks to the Civic Core and Downtown, Cedar River, and City Hall.
Vision and Plan Framework
The Plan is based on extensive community
input using a range of interactive in -person
and online events. Residents and businesses
were clear in their desire for an attractive
and economically diverse Civic Core and
Downtown. The Plan envisions the Civic Core
and Downtown as a place to ride a bike, catch
the bus, get a bite to eat and see a show.
Achieving the vision will require leadership
from residents, businesses, schools, non-
profits and community organizations, and the
City of Renton. Most important is providing
the energy and creativity to make the Civic
Core and Downtown the true heart of Renton.
It should showcase the city's rich history,
include great public spaces, art and cultural
attractions, and offer year-round activities and
nightlife.
Sets the Stage
"The Civic Core
and Downtown
are places where
people of all
ages and abilities
live, work,
shop, recreate
and gather,
connected by
art and public
spaces that
encourage
investment and
creativity. "
Plan Framework Diagram
The Plan identifies actions for the public spaces and
destinations in the Civic Core and Downtown Renton.
Organizes the Effort
Identifies the Actions
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Organizing Themes
Existing spaces within the Civic Core and Downtown are not created equally, nor do they have the same amenities available. Different levels of intervention will be needed to achieve the community's vision. These
interventions have been organized into three themes: Sustain, Activate and Create. Sustain requires the least amount of intervention, while Activate and Create may require extensive public and/or private investment over
time to reach the desired result. Images and block faces are color -coded to show the level of intervention.
Focus on supporting and improving upon what is happening now:
Remove mirrored glass and other
storefront improvements.
Increase shelter for pedestrians from the
elements, such as awnings and trees.
Provide seating, food carts, and pop-up
reta i 1.
• Activate the alleys.
Focus on redevelopment that creates a better pedestrian
environment:
Renovate existing buildings, adding
windows, if appropriate.
Develop the Former Big 5 site, Transit
Street and the existing Bank of America
sites.
Develop public spaces to encourage
more pedestrian activity.
Focus on actions to improve overall conditions, including publicly -
funded projects that improve existing deficiencies and catalyze
development potential:
Improve parks and urban trails like the
Piazza and Renton Connector.
Upgrade streetscapes to improve the
pedestrian experience.
Upgrade infrastructure and assist in
consolidating small lots to attract
developers.
Interactive art features
Streets designed to host festivals/events
Streetscapes designed to improve
pedestrian and biking experiences
Fresh paint improves visual interest
Increase seating on the sidewalk
Improve urban trails and parks
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Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Design and Development Strategies
Design and Development Strategies (DDS)
identify specific actions necessary to meet the
project vision and organizing themes, focusing
on increasing economic viability, improving
pedestrian walkability and visual interest, and
increasing the diversity of land uses. Strategies
are also phased. Quick Wins are projects or
actions that can be implemented now and/
or with limited financial resources. Other
strategies and actions are broken into Short -
Term Actions (within five years) and Mid/
Long -Term Actions (five to 10 years).
DDS 1: Improve Urban Design to Encourage
Strolling and Increase Visual Interest
Actions for DDS 1 are focused on improving
visual interest and developing easy to
understand travel patterns through the Civic
Core and Downtown. Specific actions include
signage and wayfinding, facade improvements,
and establishing a food cart pod.
DDS 2: Provide Active and Engaging Public
Spaces
Each public space described below includes
strategies to achieve the desired vision and
design for the site. Many strategies are Quick
Wins that can happen quickly.
THE PAVILION becomes a year-round market/
food hall while continuing to serve as an event
space with regular programmed activities. It is
redesigned with exterior access to restrooms
and becomes an important gathering space.
THE PIAZZA is redesigned as a more flexible
event space for performances and cultural
activities, including play opportunities for kids.
^� � urc�sHiv �rcvvt
(FUN SEATING
AND TREES)
Potential programming concept for the Pavilion
and Piazza
rop-up spaces in the tsacKyara
THE BACKYARD is a pop-up plaza space
on the former Transit Street with a dog park/
cafe, picnic tables and porch swings under the
existing transit shelters. Eventually, it will be
redeveloped with mixed -use buildings.
THE CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE is
retrofitted with ground floor retail and is well
used for parking.
THE FESTIVAL STREET is where the Farmers
Market and public events happen. When not
used for events, it would be open to vehicles.
THE RENTON CONNECTOR is a new
multimodal "art" greenway and signature
element that ties many of the Plan elements
together as it connects the Cedar River to City
Hall.
THE JUNCTION connects Tonkin Park, the
Renton Connector and the Chamber of
Commerce property into an explorable district
with restaurants, bars, and art.
THE GATEWAYS become important entry
nodes to Downtown where S. 2nd and S. 3rd
Streets intersect with Main Avenue S.
THE LIBRARY is leveraged by improving
connectivity and wayfinding between the
Library and other destinations in the Civic
Core and Downtown.
POP-UP ALLEYS AND STOREFRONTS are used
for seating, small-scale incubator spaces for
cultural events, small-scale retail, art, music,
outdoor movies and eateries.
THE CEDAR RIVERWALK becomes a major
attraction for residents with better connections
from the Civic Core and Downtown.
Tonkin Park as part of the Junction
The Renton Connector as an important connection
IL
Pop-up alleys become important public spaces
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 3: Integrate Art into the Civic Core
and Downtown
Art is one of the most important elements of
the Plan and should represent the community,
celebrating and incorporating the diversity of
voices that make up Renton. Art should occur
at a variety of scales, variations in design,
and tell multiple stories. Strategies focus on
engaging local schools and arts organizations
to create opportunities for artists and
developing an Arts Trail in the Civic Core and
Downtown.
DDS 4: Create Safe, Green and Attractive
Streets
Safe and attractive streets improve mobility for
everyone. Future improvements must prioritize
the creation of a highly walkable, urban
environment that increases economic activity
and creates a distinct street environment.
Designing "River Streets" that connect the
Civic Core and Downtown to the Cedar River,
and providing bicycle and pedestrian access
from surrounding areas, means people will
not always have to drive and park. Several
of the recommendations will be included in
the updated City of Renton Trails and Bicycle
Master Plan, currently in development.
Strategies focus on street design and
overcoming safety perceptions in some areas.
DDS 5: Support Small Businesses and
Downtown Living
Increasing the attractiveness and desirability
of the area will attract more businesses and
residents. These can be provided either in
permanent locations or as pop -ups. Strategies
include focusing on redeveloping the Former
Big 5 site, creating marketing packages, and
incentivizing housing development.
Art along an Arts Trail
Intersection painting to increase visual interest
Pop-up alleys become important public spaces
DDS 6: Increase Economic Activity and
Business Attraction
Flexibility is key to increasing economic
development activities, focused specifically
on food service and drinking establishments,
particularly fast casual dining. Vibrant retail
today can take many forms, including food
trucks, shipping containers, pop-up shops
and exhibits, kiosks, and special events
and activities. Strategies focus on business
outreach and attraction, improving street life
in front of businesses, and marketing the Civic
Core and Downtown to potential businesses.
Transit
While transit routing may change in the future,
the level of service is expected to remain the
same or better than what currently exists in
the Civic Core and Downtown. Restructuring
routes will address the gaps in transit stop
amenities such as shelters, lighting, and
signage and open up the Transit Street for
new development. Short-term strategies
include relocating layovers outside of the
area, and restructuring Transit Route 101
that provides express service to and from
Downtown Seattle. Longer term strategies
include routing changes as streets convert to
two-way traffic.
Parking Management
According to a 2017 parking audit completed
for the project, parking usage varies
depending on location. Most on -street spaces
have two-hour time limits, while the City
Center Parking Garage is free for up to two
hours, but is mostly vacant except for the
park -and -ride spaces. Parking strategies focus
on better managing of on -street parking,
improving lighting and safety features, and
changing on -street time limits to encourage
use of the City Center Parking Garage.
Public Facilities
Public facilities include City -owned assets
within the Civic Core and Downtown and
should be managed comprehensively to
optimize each facility's use, whether it is a
developed site or a vacant parcel. The City
of Renton is already developing a citywide
Strategic Facilities Plan that will identify best
uses for publicly -owned facilities. Related to
the Civic Core and Downtown, those findings
will inform this Plan. Other strategies include
recommendations for soliciting a developer for
the Transit Street, consolidating park -and -ride
spaces and providing 24-hour security in the
City Center Parking Garage, and restructuring
the Pavilion's lease agreement to provide the
City of Renton more flexibility in how it is used
and maintained.
Organizational Strategies
Identifying new opportunities and partnerships
is an important element of the Plan that
will improve how existing organizations can
maximize their resources and support their
constituents. Strengthening the Renton
Downtown Partnership by merging with other
related organizations like Piazza Renton would
help leverage funding and visibility. Hiring
staff, coordinating with the City of Renton,
and actively pursuing its own funding sources
through Washington's Main Street Program will
improve the Renton Downtown Partnership's
ability to develop a coordinated marketing
program and increase the visibility of the Civic
Core and Downtown.
M I G
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan •
January 2018 V
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Other Sections
In addition to the sections listed previously,
the Plan also includes the following:
• Implementation matrix summarizes the
strategies and actions identified in the Plan,
and identifies responsible parties and costs,
where applicable;
• Street Sections illustrate the proposed
changes to specific streets that are needed
to implement the Plan Vision; and
• Wayfinding presents a hierarchy of signs
that will be placed in the Civic Core and
Downtown, as well as other locations, to
direct people and provide navigational
assistance within the area.
Wayfinding and directional signage help get people
to Renton Downtown and Civic Core destinations
5 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Introduction
What should the Civic Core and Downtown
become? How should we get around and
what experiences create great public spaces?
How should it grow? How well do the Civic
Core and Downtown represent the diversity of
Renton and provide opportunities for new and
emerging businesses? These are some of the
questions residents and businesses, students,
non -profits and churches, and other civic
organizations have been asking. The Renton
Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
(Plan) is the culmination of these discussions,
providing focused actions and strategies and
providing a path to creating a Civic Core and
Downtown that the community desires.
This document is organized into the following
sections:
• Community Generated Solutions provide a
summary of the public engagement process
and the results of those discussions. The
Plan is based on the extensive community
input provided since the start of the
planning process in early 2017;
• Vision for the Civic Core and Downtown
are the essential elements of an active and
engaging Civic Core and Downtown. The
Vision is the foundation of the Plan;
• Organizing Themes identify the potential
level of intervention needed by location to
achieve the Plan Vision;
• Design and Development Strategies
identify specific projects and actions that
address the challenges identified in the
Civic Core and Downtown. The Design
and Development Strategies include urban
design and public space programming,
incorporating the arts into the urban form,
focusing on active and engaging streets,
small business attraction, and increased
economic development activity;
• Transit Strategies identify the proposed
interim and long-term changes for transit
while considering how other projects, such
as two-way street conversions, will impact
future bus routing;
• Parking Management Strategies
recommend how to manage on -street and
off-street public parking;
• Public Facilities Management and
Organizational Strategies address use of
the City Center Parking Garage and other
publicly -owned assets such as the Renton
Pavilion Event Center and the Piazza.
Organizational strategies identify ways
to enhance existing Downtown Renton
organizations, offer recommendations for
restructuring where needed, and introduce
new organizations where gaps exist;
• Implementation summarizes the strategies
and actions identified in the Plan, and
identifies responsible parties and costs,
where applicable;
• Street Sections illustrate the proposed
changes to specific streets that are needed
to implement the Plan Vision; and
• Wayfinding presents a hierarchy of signs
that will be placed in the Civic Core and
Downtown, as well as other locations, to
direct people and provide navigational
assistance within the area.
Existing conditions in the Civic Core and Downtown
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Context
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the City
acquired property within the Civic Core area
to revitalize Downtown with higher density
mixed -use development supported by public
amenities. Several multistory residential
projects with street level retail space were
developed around a city -owned block with
key civic facilities, including a transit center,
parking garage, event center, and central
park/public plaza. Immediately to the south,
other City -owned property along Burnett
Avenue S. was repurposed with a clocktower
plaza and public parking lot. In the decade
since completion of these improvements,
the area has struggled with issues such as
long-term retail space vacancies, safety
perceptions, over -use of curb space for idling
buses, and underutilization of many of the
civic facilities.
In early 2016, the City of Renton Mayor and
City Council requested that City staff begin
work on developing a visionary master plan for
the Civic Core and Downtown area to address
plans to relocate transit layovers to a new
station at Rainier Avenue S. and S. Grady Way.
Reconfiguring the existing transit layovers
provided the perfect opportunity to talk with
the Renton community about the future of the
Civic Core and Downtown.
As part of the Plan development, the
community discussed what strengths and
opportunities exist today, and how change
should occur over time. Supporting existing
businesses, building spaces for families, and
creating opportunities for new businesses
that reflect the racial and cultural diversity
of Renton were all central themes of the
discussion.
The Civic Core and Downtown are in the
ideal position to grow as true community
hubs. The Piazza and the Pavilion are public
investments that can be built upon and
designed to be better public spaces. Regional
trails connect the Civic Core and Downtown
to local destinations, and emerging restaurant
and retail clusters create opportunities to
further cultivate special places through
strategic investments. The area's location
and demographics also highlight several
opportunities:
• The Civic Core and Downtown are close
to Seattle -Tacoma International Airport
and major transportation corridors. Plus,
access to employment, natural amenities,
and the regional trail system make it an
attractive location to live.
• Regional planning studies predict
significant growth in the area. Some of
that is likely to include housing options in
and near the Civic Core and Downtown.
• Renton is a diverse community. This
is an opportunity for the Civic Core and
Downtown to become a key cultural center.
• Downtowns attract younger people and
baby boomers. Renton's population is
young and is well -positioned to capitalize on
its younger population.
• Renton is affordable. As the more
urbanized parts of the Seattle metropolitan
area continue to grow and home values and
rental costs increase, residents will look to
other areas in the region that offer similar
urban amenities. Renton can capitalize on
this market, given its proximate location to
Seattle.
The Civic Core and Downtown (in red, above), provide many opportunities. Renton is exceptionally well -
located in the southern Seattle Metropolitan area. Close proximity to SeaTac Airport, major transportation
corridors, employment, and recreation opportunities makes it an attractive place to live and work. The
area's housing is also more affordable than other locations in the area, which benefits families and young
professionals.
2 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Community Generated Solutions
The people of Renton have been integral to
developing the Plan, both in person and online.
Three public events held at the Renton Pavilion
Event Center (Pavilion) during each major phase of
the project were especially noteworthy. Hundreds of
participants provided enthusiasm and ideas about the
Civic Core and Downtown at the Public Kickoff (March
2, 2017), Design Day (June 6, 2017) and the Design
Priorities Workshop (October 11, 2017). Community
members are passionate about their Civic Core and
Downtown. Over the last year they have explained
what makes Downtown great and what will be
needed to make it better. Many of these ideas from
community members, described below, have been
translated into key elements of the Plan:
• Addressing issues facing the Civic Core and
Downtown today: There are several obstacles
that prevent the Civic Core and Downtown from
realizing their full potential. The street environment
is perceived to be challenging for pedestrians
with high traffic speed, lack of safe crossings and
streets that are not designed to meet accessibility
standards. One-way streets, disconnected bike lanes
and a general lack of parking management also
lead to confusion when getting around. Community
members have also stated that poor lighting, litter,
vacant or underused spaces, and a perceived lack
of police presence create an unwelcoming and
unsafe environment. It is also challenging to find
Downtown from 1-405 or surrounding streets, and
there is a general lack of clear wayfinding signage or
visual cues to navigate to and around the Civic Core
and Downtown.
• Exploring opportunities for the future: Despite
these challenges, the Civic Core and Downtown
also have many strengths and a long list of
opportunities to build upon. Some of the Civic
Core and Downtown's greatest assets include a
unique history and many cultures, connections
to the natural environment, and the Cedar River.
There is an opportunity to increase the number
of great restaurants and public spaces, as well as
expand housing options that are close to amenities.
The additions of green streets and well -designed
landscaping, connected sidewalks with wayfinding,
and improved transit linkages will result in places
that are walkable, interconnected, and welcoming.
The resulting vision is a place where people and
families are living, working, and enjoying a true
urban experience.
• spaces
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Public Kickoff Workshop (March 2, 2017). Key themes quickly emerged from the discussions.
The project's Public Engagement and Communications Plan provided the direction for
community involvement throughout the planning process, identifying specific opportunities
for engagement at different scales and formats.
Staying informed online
The project website
(rentonciviccore.com)
served as an easily
accessible source for
project information and upcoming
events. The City also provided social
media updates, invitations to public
events, and broadcasting information
about the project to a wider network.
Informing the Plan
in person
The City hosted three major
public events at the Pavilion.
The Public Kickoff Workshop
engaged community
members about their perceptions of
the Civic Core and Downtown. Next,
Downtown Design Day, held in conjunction
with the 2017 opening of the Farmers
Market, was a chance for participants to
voice their opinion on potential ideas for
the future design of the Civic Core and
Downtown. The final event, a Design
Priorities Workshop, focused on the
recommended concept for the Civic Core
and Downtown, allowing participants to
test ideas through electronic polling, while
transformation of the Pavilion into an indoor
public market and play space provided a
glimpse of how this space could function
in the future. The City advertised each of
these events through a range of print and
online materials to maximize turn out.
Understanding specific topics
and interests
Small group meetings
helped to identify
major opportunities,
challenges and potential partners early
in the process from stakeholders with a
specific interest in, or understanding of
the Civic Core and Downtown. Participants
included business and property owners,
real estate brokers and developers, non-
profit and civic organizations, high school
students, program administrators, the
Renton Chamber of Commerce, the Renton
Downtown Partnership, and City staff.
Providing project oversight
and direction
The Community and
Technical Advisory
Committees met at key
milestones to review materials and provide
direction. Representatives spanned a range
of interests in and around the Civic Core
and Downtown, including public agencies,
business and property owners, community -
based non -profits, and community leaders.
The project team also conducted two joint
work sessions with the Renton Planning
Commission and City Council to provide
project updates and gather feedback
during the Plan development process.
City staff also provided interim updates to
Planning Commission and City Council.
J
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 1 3
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
• Focusing on priorities that strengthen the
Civic Core and Downtown: The Civic Core
and Downtown can overcome obstacles and
leverage strengths by prioritizing a set of
specific actions. The downtown area should
maximize the use of underused or vacant
spaces to create a more cohesive street
front and generate more activity. Specific
uses should be encouraged that attract
more residents and visitors, draw more
businesses, including a community market
space, modern work spaces, mixed -use
and affordable housing, and active ground
floors. Public spaces should be designed
Downtown Design Day Open -House (June 6, 2017)
and programmed for year-round and all
ages activities, creating places that are more
inviting, accessible, playful, and functional.
Specific refinements should include
redesigning the Piazza with amenities
and programs for kids, teens, and adults,
connecting Burnett Linear Parks North and
South, renovating the City Center Parking
Garage ground floor, and adding public
restrooms. Green infrastructure along with
better -connected trails and public spaces
should tie spaces together. To sustain long-
term investment, a strong network of public
and private partners should be assembled.
On October 11, 2017, the City hosted the
third and final public event for the project to
present the recommended alternative for the
Civic Core and Downtown and create a fun
and entertaining space to dine, play, and think
about the future. Working with local vendors
and business owners, the City helped to
transform the Pavilion into an indoor market,
complete with food, drinks, boutique retail, an
indoor play area, and live music. For the second
half of the event the project team presented
the recommended alternative, leading event
participants through a real-time electronic
polling exercise to test design elements using
example images from other cities. Based on
polling results, there was general agreement on
the majority of design elements, specifically:
• Providing an excellent pedestrian experience
and creating a stronger connection to the
Cedar River, including integration of green
storm water facilities, and connecting
Burnett Linear Parks North and South.
• Prioritizing economic development with
active and round-the-clock ground floor
spaces and public areas, temporary or
creative use of vacant or underused spaces,
and businesses or small-scale retail shops.
• Improving public safety and the design and
function of public spaces through better
lighting, parklets, integrated sidewalk
or street art, and play for all ages.
Downtown Design Priorities Workshop (October 11, 2017)
J
4 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Vision for the Civic Core and Downtown
Renton residents and businesses have been
clear that they desire great places and quick
action in the Civic Core and Downtown,
requiring a plan and vision that is more than
just a list of actions. The path forward must
address existing challenges and support the
best parts of the Civic Core and Downtown
that already work well.
Today, popular events like the Farmers
Market make the Civic Core and Downtown
a destination, but it can be more. Inspiring
public spaces, safe and welcoming streets,
and bustling storefronts are all part of the
community's vision for a more desirable place
for residents and businesses.
Sets the Stage
"The Civic Core and
Downtown are places
where people of all ages
and abilities live, work,
shop, recreate and gather,
connected by art and public
spaces that encourage
investment and creativity. "
Plan Framework Diagram
Each step of the planning process has
focused on creating a community -focused
plan. Discussions have been extensive
and collaborative, beginning at the Public
Kickoff Workshop with a lively discussion of
community values, collaborating on potential
design elements during Design Day, and
real-time polling on recommendations and a
pop-up food hall at the final Design Priorities
Workshop. This input is the basis for the Civic
Core and Downtown, organized by levels
of intervention and specific strategies and
actions for design and development, parking
management, transit planning, organization,
and public facilities management.
Organizes the Effort
The future Civic Core and Downtown is a place
to ride a bike, catch the bus, get a bite to
eat and see a show. Businesses, non -profits,
schools and community organizations interact
in a way that generates creativity and sustains
social support services, allows people to make
connections with one another on the street,
and fosters innovation by encouraging new
voices and ideas. The future Civic Core and
Downtown offers opportunities for all ages and
abilities and is a fun and welcoming place for
families. As the heart of Renton, it showcases
the city's rich history, with great public spaces,
art and cultural attractions, and offers year -
Identifies the Actions
round activities and nightlife. The future Civic
Core and Downtown is energetic and exciting,
with places to live, work, and enjoy all the
conveniences of urban living.
1. Improve Urban Design to Encourage Strolling and
Increase Visual Interest
2. Provide Active and Engaging Public Spaces
3. Integrate Art Into the Civic Core and Downtown
4. Create Safe, Green and Attractive Streets
0
5. Support Small Businesses and
Downtown Living
6. Increase Economic Activity
and Business Attraction
C
6 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Organizing Themes
Existing spaces within the Civic Core and
Downtown are not created equally nor do
they have the same amenities available.
Different levels of intervention will be needed
to achieve the community's vision and vary
depending on location (Figure 1.1). These
interventions have been organized into three
themes: Sustain, Activate and Create. Sustain
requires the least amount of intervention while
Activate and Create may require extensive
public and private investment over time to
reach the desired result.
SUSTAIN
The Civic Core and Downtown have
many businesses, although there are also
several vacant storefronts. Interventions
in areas identified as Sustain should focus
on supporting and improving upon what's
happening now, including:
• Focusing on storefront improvements such
as removing mirrored glass to increase
visibility, repainting and restoring facades;
• Increasing the number of awnings and/
or continuous tree canopy to shelter
pedestrians from the elements and improve
the pedestrian experience. Worn awnings
should be replaced, if possible;
• Increasing seating either on the sidewalk or
through parklets;
• Using small off-street parking lots for
temporary uses, such as food trucks, pop-up
retail, or seating;
• Adding edge treatments, such as landscaping
or art installations on vacant lots;
• Where applicable, incorporating alleys
and alley entrances into the streetscape
environment by using gateway elements,
murals, lighting, or other features to attract
pedestrian interest; and
• Blending new buildings with surrounding
uses to the greatest degree practicable.
Implementation: Primarily private investment
with support from the City through storefront
improvement grants, flexibility in how vacant
areas and parking lots are used for temporary/
pop-up uses, and streetscape improvements.
Lighting and art installations help to attract pedestrians
Increase seating on the sidewalk
Fresh paint improves visual interest and contrast
Awnings provide shelter and a pleasant experience
Temporary pop-up uses revitalize vacant lots and alleys
8 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan M.
January 2018
CONCEPT DIAGRAM + LEVEL OF
INTERVENTION FOR ADJACENT PARCELS
LEGEND
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Sustain
• Private investment
• Support what's happening now
• Focus on storefront and facade improvements,
murals, seating, parklets, and improved
pedestrian experience
• Limited infill potential
• Public/private investment
• Moderate interventions needed
• Good bones but lacks cohesion
• Focus on infill and supporting surrounding businesses
• Moderate infill potential
Create
• Public investment
• Major interventions needed
• Focus on streetscape and placemaking to
create identity
• Major development opportunities on parking lots and
vacantland
• Potential gateway opportunities on 2nd Street
• Focus on creating a pedestrian experience
FIGURE 1.1
Various levels of intervention will be needed
depending on location and the desired
improvements or amenities required. These
interventions have been organized into
three themes: Sustain (minimal intervention),
Activate, and Create (both of these may
require public/private investment).
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
ACTIVATE
Activate areas have good bones with older
buildings and functional sidewalks, but many
buildings need facade improvements and
large vacant lots reduce the visual appeal of
these areas. Locations identified as Activate
need a higher level of redevelopment or
renovation than Sustain locations. Potential
interventions could include:
• Any of the Sustain interventions;
• Focusing infill development that improves
the street environment. New buildings
should complement the surrounding built
environment, using similar materials at least
for the first two floors where pedestrians
interact with the building facade. This
includes use of brick or material meant to
convey permanence or that match some of
Downtown's most prominent buildings;
• Encouraging renovation of existing buildings
to increase the percentage of windows on
the primary facade;
• Incorporating transit service and stops
into the urban form at the street, including
extended bulb -outs that place the shelter
closer to the street, minimizing encroachment
into the pedestrian walking area;
• Focusing on development (or
redevelopment) of the Former Big 5 site,
Transit Street and the existing Bank of
America sites; and
• Developing public spaces to encourage
more pedestrian activity.
Implementation: A combination of public
and private investment, particularly public
investment in streetscape and utilities.
Redeveloping some City -owned sites, such
as the Former Big 5 site and Transit Street
will require City support, potentially through
infrastructure investment or facilitating
developer selection.
Interactive art features
Wayfinding and branding elements
The addition of a protected bike lane is just one of the potential streetscape improvements to Burnett Ave. S., shown in this northeast facing view at the intersection with S. 3rd Street
10
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
CREATE
Areas identified as Create will require the
greatest effort and funding. Many parcels
along S. 2nd Street, for example, are either
vacant or underdeveloped with surface
parking or small building footprints and
could be redeveloped. Focused actions will
need to occur in Create areas to improve
overall conditions, including publicly funded
projects that can improve existing deficiencies
and create catalytic potential for future
development. Potential interventions to spur
activity could include:
• Interventions identified in the Sustain and
Activate categories;
• Making public investments proposed for
parks and urban trails like the Renton
Connector to energize and catalyze
development in the Civic Core and
Downtown;
• Improving the use of existing ground floor
spaces and changes in streetscape design
to create a more engaging pedestrian
environment, including repurposing the
park -and -ride spaces of the Metropolitan
Apartments as ground floor retail;
• Focusing on street design and the
pedestrian experience. This could include
upgraded streetscapes, a festival street on
Logan Avenue S. and S. 3rd Street, improved
branding and wayfinding, and traffic calming
to make it safer for pedestrians to cross;
• Improving sewer/water and stormwater
infrastructure, as needed, to reduce the
burden on developers or landowners to
develop property;
• Re -master planning the Piazza and Gateway
Parks to enhance use, functionality, and
safety;
• Actively marketing City -owned properties,
like the Transit Street, and assisting
landowners and developers specializing
in mixed -use. Efforts should be focused
on locations near where significant public
investments are proposed. This could
include public/private partnerships or other
development incentives; and
• Considering lot consolidation, where
possible. Many existing parcels are too small
to attract developers, are oddly shaped, or
have other infrastructure challenges. There
are several parcels along S. 2nd Street (or
other areas beyond what is currently shown),
for example, that could be consolidated to
be more attractive to developers.
Implementation: Areas designated as Create
will require a higher level of public intervention
and focused design management to create
the walkable environment Renton residents
and businesses envision. Implementation
will require a combination of public and
private investment, focused strategic and
ongoing outreach to existing landowners,
businesses, and developers. Unlike Sustain
and Activate, areas where public investment
is helpful but not necessarily essential, Create
areas will likely require a high degree of
public investment in streetscape, parks and
trails development, utilities, marketing, and
development assistance.
Redesigned Infill development Redesigned ground
ground floor (Flexible space In floor with active uses
with active uses the short term)
Public green space
Beginning of festival connection -
streets along Logan Pavilion to Garage
Avenue and 3rd Street
Reconfigured Pavilion with increased
transparency and access to the Piazza
R,
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ateway
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Conceptual aerial rendering of the Civic Core renovations
IVir
Renton Connector along
Burnett Avenue S. linking
Burnett Linear Park North to
Burnett Linear Park South
Conceptual view of proposed changes on Burnett Ave S. between 2nd and 3rd, facing north
© M Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Revo 225
Apartments
Re -master planned
Gateway Park
6
Festival Street along
Logan Avenue S.
New infill
development
(Flexible space in
short term)
11
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Conceptual rendering of festival street along Logan Ave. facing the Pavilion
1 ^ Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
Public green space connection
from Garage to Pavilion
(between new developments)
New infill Re -master planned
development Piazza
Reprogrammed
Pavilion Event
Center
Burnett Avenue S. (trail and
pedestrian connections to
Burnett Linear Parks N. and S.)
Festival Street
along S. 3rd Street
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
THE RENTON CONNECTOR
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Design and Development Strategies
Design and Development Strategies (DDS)
identify specific actions necessary to meet the
project Vision and organizational themes with
the focus on increasing economic viability,
improving pedestrian walkability and visual
interest, and increasing the diversity of land
uses. The Civic Core and Downtown should
be an environment that encourages active
living for all age levels and physical abilities,
establishing the Civic Core and Downtown as
the true center of Renton. Opportunities in
the Civic Core and Downtown are shown on
Figure 1.2.
While some projects or programs can be
started today, others will need time and money
to implement. Transformation of the Civic Core
and Downtown is already occurring with the
addition of new businesses and an increased
community interest in the area. These strategies
must support what is already happening
Street designed to host festivals and events
by creating new economic development
opportunities and attracting new residents.
Quick Wins are projects or actions that can be
implemented now and/or with limited financial
resources. Other strategies and actions are
broken into Short -Term Actions (within five
years) and Mid/Long-Term Actions (five to ten
years).
Increasing visual interest using paving patterns and art
Festival street environment
DDS 1: Improve Urban Design to Encourage
Strolling and Increase Visual Interest
The Civic Core and Downtown already have
a good sidewalk network built on the historic
grid street pattern. Improving the urban design
of the area to encourage more walking will
require specific actions. Actions for DDS 1 are
focused on building form and developing easy
to understand travel patterns through the Civic
Core and Downtown.
QUICK WINS
DDS 1.1 Implement pedestrian- and vehicle -
scale wayfinding recommendations
contained in this plan.
DDS 1.2 Using Figure 1.2 as a starting point
for potential fagade improvement
locations, coordinate with businesses
and landowners to publicize the
existing facade improvement
program and recommend how the
program could assist businesses and
property values.
DDS 1.3 Identify walls or facades that could
incorporate murals or other unique
storefront art (see also DDS 3 for arts -
related recommendations).
DDS 1.4 Prohibit window screens or murals
that block or reduce window or
door transparency.
DDS 1.5 Develop a pilot program to allow a
food cart pod to be located in the
Civic Core and Downtown where
trucks or trailers would be permitted
to stay for more than one day.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 1.6 Implement the complete wayfinding
recommendations identified for the
Civic Core and Downtown.
DDS 1.7 Implement the adopted Downtown
Streetscape Design Standards and
Guidelines.
DDS 1.8 Consider reductions or deferrals of
permit fees for adaptive reuse of
buildings.
DDS 1.9 Provide reductions in fees for
developments that create affordable
housing in the Civic Core and
Downtown. "Affordable" shall be
defined by the City.
DDS 1.10 Provide height bonuses above the
existing 95-foot height (consistent
with the Renton Municipal Code
and FAA height regulations in effect
at the time of project approval) if
the developer provides affordable
housing, contributes to parks
or public amenities funding, or
constructs a public amenity within the
Civic Core and Downtown.
DDS 1.11 Consider developing a sign
permitting process that would allow
rooftop signs. Traditional billboards
or electronic reader signs should not
be permitted.
DDS 1.12 Encourage blade signs where
multiple tenants occupy a single
building; materials should be
metal or wood (applied or painted
letters/graphics are acceptable).
1 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan © 0
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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RENOVATE EXISTING BUILDING/GROUND FLOOR
%rim FACADE/EDGE UPDATE
POP-UP RETAIL/FOOD CARTS
INFILL HOUSING/LIVE WORK
OTHER VACANT LAND/PARKING
CONCEPTUAL BUILDING FOOTPRINT
PARKS & OPEN SPACE
INTERACTIVE ALLEY
EXISTING DOWNTOWN SERVING PARKS
M NEW DOWNTOWN PARKS
OTHER PARKS/OPEN SPACE
ppl FESTIVAL STREET
BURNETT LINEAR PARK EXTENSION/M-U PATH
IIIIIIII RIVER STREET
CONCEPTUAL BUILDING FOOTPRINT
EXTERIOR ACCESS TO PAVILION RESTROOMS
AND CONNECTING USES ON BLOCK
FIGURE 1.2
There are several strategies developed
for urban form interventions and potential
opportunities which provide the foundation for
transforming the urban form of the Civic Core
and Downtown. These include wayfinding,
bicycle connections, re -master planning the
Piazza and Gateway Park, festival streets, Pavilion
improvements, and River Street connections.
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® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 15
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
For individual businesses, painted
signs on buildings should also be
encouraged.
DDS 1.13 Scale signs appropriately to the
building context (i.e. signs should fit
on the flat face of awnings or in the
clerestory above entrances).
DDS 1.14 Illuminate signs by discreet lighting
technologies (e.g. rear uplighting,
exposed tube neon, or projected
light); illuminated awning signs are
discouraged where used to mitigate
otherwise opaque windows or
inactive facades).
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 1.15 When reconstructing streets,
consolidate off-street parking access
to the greatest degree practical.
Focus parking access onto alleys or
single driveways. Minimize off street
parking in front or to the sides of
buildings along S. 2nd Street, S. 3rd
Street, Williams Avenue S., Wells
Avenue S., and Main Avenue S.
Discreet lighting technologies such as neon lighting
should be encouraged
ff low
Simple art installations enhance pedestrian experiences Large windows and the entrance should face the street
Covered seating makes it possible to be outside
year-round.
An environment that incorporates placemaking and
play
Well -designed blade signs where multiple tenants
are located
Wayfinding and placemaking through well -
designed paths and trails
Historically -inspired signs painted directly on
building facades
Appropriately scaled signs on building facades
1 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
M I G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 2: Provide Active and Engaging Public
Spaces
Parks, trails and open space are important
components of an active and playful Civic
Core and Downtown. It is essential that as
residential and mixed -use development
increases in the Civic Core and Downtown,
residents have well designed places to
gather, exercise, play, build community
and be part of the urban experience. The
plan for parks and open space (Figure 1.3)
includes both traditional park spaces and
experiential environments that incorporate
placemaking, children's activities, and spaces
for small gatherings and large civic events.
This plan incorporates an additional 1.25
acres of park area with the addition of the
Renton Connector and Burnett Linear Parks
North and South expansions. There are also
programming recommendations for existing
facilities that use redesigned park spaces more
efficiently and effectively.
Transforming public spaces in the Civic Core
and Downtown will require programming,
placemaking and activation strategies.
While some of the recommendations will
require longer -term investments, many of
the strategies can be started immediately
with minimal costs to jumpstart the process
and transform the Civic Core and Downtown
Renton's public spaces into fun and lively
destinations, ultimately creating a more
vibrant and welcoming Civic Core and
Downtown. Additional public input will also
be necessary during the design phases of
each major project and coordination with local
nonprofits, churches and other community
organizations will be essential to ensure that
the public spaces are designed to meet the
needs of the diverse Renton community.
The Heart Block is the central civic meeting
space in the Civic Core and Downtown and
includes several public spaces. The Heart
Block includes the Pavilion, Piazza and
Gateway Park, the Backyard (existing Transit
Street), the City Center Parking Garage, and
the Festival Street (Logan Avenue S. is the
primary festival street, while S. 3rd Street is
a secondary location). The vision for each
component of the Heart Block is described
below along with strategies for each location,
as applicable.
Provide spaces to play and build community
external
Map of key public spaces and destinations in the Civic Core and Downtown Renton
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
17
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FIGURE 1.3
There are several public investments proposed
for parks and urban trails which will offer residents
the opportunity to have well designed places
to gather, exercise, play, build community
and be part of the urban experience.
N
3600'
I I
� Feet
1 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
a January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
TABLE 1: FUTURE PROGRAMMING POTENTIAL IN DOWNTOWN RENTON'S PUBLIC SPACES
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EVENT PROGRAMS
(MUSIC, FARMERS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
0
MARKET)
FOOD AND DRINKS
•
•
•
0
•
0
•
0
0
•
•
0
FLEXIBLE SEATING/
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
0
PICNIC TABLES
SPORTS/ GAMES
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PLAY FEATURES
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
•
0
•
0
DOG FRIENDLY
0
•
•
0
•
•
0
0
•
0
•
•
ACTIVITIES
NIGHT-TIME
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
0
•
•
•
0
ACTIVITIES
PUBLIC ART
0
•
•
•
•
•
0
•
•
•
0
BIKE FACILITIES
•
•
•
•
0
•
•
0
•
0
•
0
FOOD TRUCKS
0
0
•
0
0
•
0
0
•
0
0
OUTDOOR
0
0
•
•
0
•
•
0
•
0
•
•
EXERCISE
BEER GARDEN
•
0
•
0
0
0
•
0
0
•
0
0
GREEN SPACE/
NATURAL
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
FEATURES
OUTDOOR
0
0
•
0
0
0
0
0
0
•
0
0
MOVIES
0 -NOT RECOMMENDED
•
- RECOMMENDED FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING
Year round food hall and marketplace in the Pavilion Flexible seating in the Piazza
Spaces for temporary galleries and incubator spaces Mobile library with seating in the Piazza
in the City Center Parking Garage
Riparian inspired elements along a River Street Interactive r features in the Piazza
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
19
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Mobile Library
and Seating -
Pop-up
Shipping
Container
Retail
Public green
space and plaza
connection
betweeen Piazza
and Garage
Public
restroom
Indoor/
Outdoor Cafe
Seating
Interactive
Water Play
UNWAV UKVVC
(FUN SEATING
AND TREES)
Map showing potential programming for the Heart Block
Bike Parking
THE PAVILION
The Pavilion becomes a year-round market/
food hall while continuing to serve as an
event space with regular programmed
activities. While the Pavilion currently hosts
many private events, converting part of the
building into a public market/food hall with
a cafe, children spaces, a dog -friendly cafe
(tied to a small dog park in the Backyard),
and a beer garden encourages activity when
events are not occurring. The Pavilion could
also be marketed to host more year-round
public events, such as cultural events like
the Multicultural Festival and Octoberfest,
that would draw families to the Civic Core
and Downtown. During nice weather, using
both the Pavilion and surrounding public
spaces together boosts visibility and the local
economy during the summer months. Events
could also be moved indoors during inclement
weather.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.1 Use the Pavilion's garage doors
to create an indoor/outdoor
space during warmer months with
picnic tables and flexible seating.
Plan year-round cultural events
such as Octoberfest and musical
performances.
DDS 2.2 Plan year-round cultural events
such as Octoberfest and musical
performances.
DDS 2.3 Develop a marketing plan for the
Pavilion and surrounding venues like
the Backyard and Piazza.
DDS 2.4 Provide outside access to public
restrooms in the Pavilion.
DDS 2.5 Redesign the Pavilion to provide
transparency and access from the
Piazza north to the redesigned
Transit Street (either as a temporary
pop-up or fully redeveloped space)
and improved City Center Parking
Garage. A portion of the Pavilion
could be partitioned to allow for
everyday active uses such as a
year-round public market/food hall
and/or small-scale services on the
west side of the building, tied to a
redesigned Piazza that adds covered
seating.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.6 Plan and implement capital
improvements for the Pavilion and
those that increase interaction
between the Piazza and the Pavilion.
20
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
THE PIAZZA
The Piazza is redesigned to be a more
flexible event space for performances
and cultural activities. The Farmers Market
could continue to operate in The Piazza (as
well as on Logan Avenue S.). The redesign
would include a new interactive water feature,
a children's play area or climbing structure,
flexible cafe seating and games to activate
this prominent Civic Core space, and a new
information kiosk to explore the Civic Core
and Downtown.
DDS 2.7 Provide games such as ping pong,
chess boards, and bean-bag toss.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.8 Coordinate marketing efforts with
the Pavilion to increase the number
of indoor/outdoor events.
DDS 2.9 Increase event programming to
include daily performances, food
trucks along Logan Avenue S. and
S. 3rd Street, and nighttime events
such as outdoor movies.
DDS 2.10 Re -master plan the Piazza to
incorporate Gateway Park, the
future festival street along Logan
Avenue S. and S. 3rd Street, and the
Renton Connector. Master planning
should include restrooms.The future
development of the Former Big 5
site should relate to the redesigned
Piazza.
DDS 2.11 Complete the reconstruction of the
Piazza.
Pop-up games
Creative seating
Interactive water feature and seating
THE BACKYARD
The existing Transit Street and the parking
area behind the Pavilion are transformed
into the Backyard, a pop-up plaza space with
a dog park/cafe, picnic tables and whimsical
porch swing seating under the existing transit
shelters. The Backyard is an ongoing pop-up
retail experience, but also ties into interests
of high school students who have said they
would come to the Civic Core and Downtown
if there was youth -focused programming. The
Backyard could also include a mobile library
and bleacher style seating. In the long-term,
the Backyard is redeveloped as a mixed -use
development.
DDS 2.12 Upon relocating transit operations
from the Transit Street, test a
temporary pop-up plaza concept
with simple materials and paint that
includes miniature golf or a beach
themed event and dog park.
DDS 2.13 Add seating next to existing cafe
stand. Remove bars on the windows
that make it uninviting.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.14 Attract a developer through a
Request for Proposals process
to redevelop the Backyard as a
mixed -use development. This
development should include public
plazas, programming, and direct
connections between the City
Center Parking Garage and the
Pavilion.
Pop-up play activities
.00
Places to sit and hang out
Potential swings under the transit stops
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 21
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Temporary pop-up seating
Dog -friendly cafe
2 ^ Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
THE CITY CENTER PARKING GARAGE
The City Center Parking Garage is retrofitted
to provide active spaces (in addition to
parking). The roof deck provides some of the
best views in the Civic Core and Downtown and
could be retrofitted for public events, urban play
like mini -golf, or outdoor yoga sessions. Ground
floor uses could be retrofitted to provide spaces
for small-scale retail and incubator spaces or
after -school programming. Vertical elements
could include a rock climbing wall. The focus on
incubator and youth activities reflects the desire
to have multi -generation activities in the area
and create a connection to Renton High School.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.15 Market and program uses of the
rooftop for seasonal activities.
Rock climbing on a parking structure
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.16 Relocate the Police station to
another location.
DDS 2.17 Remove mirrored glass on ground
floor spaces to increase visibility.
DDS 2.18 Add lighting to the area to increase
safety for evening events.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.19 Retrofit ground floor spaces for
small-scale retail that will spill
out onto the Backyard or into
new mixed -use development.
Depending on space needs,
the ground floor could also be
converted to a commercial kitchen
where spaces can be leased to
small-scale businesses or Farmers
Market businesses.
Pop-up yoga on the roof
THE FESTIVAL STREET
Logan Avenue S. becomes a closeable,
curbless festival street that hosts the weekly
Farmers Market, food trucks and community
events. When not used for events, Logan
Avenue S. would be open to vehicles. While
Logan Avenue S. would be the primary
festival street closed most often, S. 3rd Street
between Burnett Avenue S. and Logan Avenue
S. would also be designed as a festival street
and closed periodically for larger events.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.20 Close Logan Avenue S. south of the
Transit Street to cars for community
events like the Farmers Market prior
to the festival street redesign.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.21 Remove the center median to
improve pedestrian access across
the street when it is closed for
events.
DDS 2.22 Organize an annual food truck
festival or Taste of Renton event.
DDS 2.23 Organize regular music
performances, dances or outdoor
movies in the street.
DDS 2.24 Design and construct a curbless
festival street along Logan Avenue
S. between S. 2nd and S. 3rd
Streets, and along S. 3rd Street
between Logan Avenue S. and
Burnett Avenue S.
Temporary food carts
Streets closed for events
© M Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 23
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
THE RENTON CONNECTOR
The Renton Connector, a new greenway
envisioned along Burnett Avenue S., creates
a signature Civic Core and Downtown green
spine and regional trail connection between
the Cedar River Trail, Lake to Sound Trail, Lake
Washington Loop Trail, and the Eastside Rail
Corridor for pedestrians and cyclists between
the Cedar River, City Hall, and the South
Renton Transit Center to the south. The new
greenway extends the existing Burnett Linear
Parks (North and South) into the Civic Core,
cleanses stormwater runoff, and provides a
healthy 'green spine' that will catalyze new
family -friendly development in the Civic Core
and Downtown. Several key elements include:
• Providing a multi -use path and protected
bicycle lane for cyclists and pedestrians
separated from the roadway that connects with
the Lake to Sound and Cedar River Trails and
regional transit connections.
• Incorporating green stormwater planters to
filter stormwater runoff before it reaches the
Cedar River.
• Planting street trees to increase tree canopy
coverage in the Civic Core and Downtown.
• Providing opportunities to incorporate art, play
spaces, and resting areas along the connector.
• Reconfiguring parking between S. 3rd and S.
4th Streets, keeping the existing space count.
• Reconfiguring the public parking area
between S. 4th and S. 5th Streets into a
buffered multi -use path and bocce ball court,
with parking being relocated onto both sides
of Burnett Avenue S. Overall, approximately
25 spaces may be lost from the public parking
area. Capacity to accommodate lost parking
is available either in the City Center Parking
Garage or elsewhere on surrounding streets.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.25 Work with local artists to develop a
plan for art installations (temporary
and permanent) along the future
Renton Connector alignment. Art
should be relocatable if it is installed
prior to the Renton Connector
construction.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.26 Acquire property and develop an
extension of Burnett Linear Park
North from S. 2nd Street to the
existing Burnett Linear Park North
boundary. Include a small area
for food carts or other temporary
businesses.
DDS 2.27 Design the Renton Connector as
a phased project. Phasing should
include specific actions that can be
undertaken as soon as possible,
including converting the existing
parking spaces between S. 3rd and
S. 4th Streets to accommodate the
multi -use path, versus longer -term,
more expensive components that
may take time to secure funding
resources.
DDS 2.28 Implement a preliminary design MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
phase of the Renton Connector that
can be accommodated with existing
revenue.
DDS 2.29 Develop parks masterplans for the
area from S. Grady Way to S. 5th
Street (Burnett Linear Park S.) and
from S. 2nd Street to the Cedar
River (Burnett Linear Park N.).
DDS 2.30 Construct the major elements of the
Renton Connector. The design should
incorporate art, distinctive branding,
wayfinding and finishes to showcase it
as a critical element of the Civic Core
and Downtown parks system.
Simulation of the Renton Connector between S. 3rd and S. 4th Streets
2 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan M
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
.'Burnett
Linear
Park
`. North **—To Cedar River
r
` ,To Cedar
skin River Trail
ark
mr-
To South Renton Transit
Center and City Hall
Conceptual view of the Renton Connector (looking north) that integrates the North and South Burnett Linear Parks to the Civic Core and Downtown, Cedar River, and City Hall
i
1
NORTH END
• Cedar River Trail
• Parks, Trails, & Open
Space
Renton High School
Y U 1 1
Connection to Lake
w
W d
Q O 1 1
Washington Loop Trail
CL N
and Eastside Rail Corridor
°o
(via Loop Trail)
1
Burnett Linear Park North
1 I
•-1
I I
I
1
CENTRAL
1 I
w
I 1
•
Pavilion Event Center
1
Piazza
O
Public Market/ Food Hall
U
1
•
Farmers Market
1
•
Retail and Commerce
1 1
Logan Avenue
1
Festival Street
1 1
'1
1
SOUTH END
cn
<
1
1 �I
Burnett Linear Park South
N
I
and Playground
p otf
•
Tonkin Park
X(7
I
Mixed -Use Housing and
2 7,z
I
Retail
D
1
•
Future Transit Center
•
Connection to City Hall
•
Connection to Lake to
Sound Trail
Renton Connector Destinations
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 25
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Convert ground floor I -
parking in the apartment Reprogram Pavilion with t Add protected bike
Redesign the ground floor of building to small-scale retail increased transparency, lanes and landscape
the City Center Parking to ensure the success of Public access to restrooms , improvements with
Garage to permit incubator the street, add on -street connection to re -master bus stops on Burnett
or small-scale retail spaces. parallel parking. planned Piazza. Avenue.
'I Ulf
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opportunity
Redevelopment
opportunity AIW
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LOGA
Link the two Burnett Acquire and develop an "' Develop Transit {
Linear Parks with a extension of Burnett Street with new infill 4
buffered shared use path Linear Park North from development and
along Burnett Ave S. S 2nd Street to the public reenwa Create a festival street
Redevelopment - P g y � along Logan Avenue S.
existing Burnett Linear connection (flexible
opportunity between S. 2nd and
North Park boundary. pop-up space in the Redevelopment S. 3rd Streets and along
Include a small area for short-term). o ortunit
food carts or other pp y S. 3rd Street between
temporary businesses. Logan Avenue S.
and Burnett Avenue S.
FIGURE 1.4 Plan view showing the Renton Connector that integrates Burnett Linear Parks (North and South) to the Civic Core and Downtown, Cedar River, and City Hall
2 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
aoffri
Protected bike lanes �. - _c
and pedestrian ' 4 , Protected bike lanes and
improvements t pedestrian improvements h
including new Reconfigured parking including new
I
and between S 4th and 5th landscaping and trail '
trail connection. Streets. connection.
c } Y
(
x f='.
L(i
N
Regional �.
BURNETT AVE S Trail
�a � Burnett
ti n
- Linear
11A� Par
outh
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Increase green space
LL t along the existing
Reconfigured parking SMITHERS AVE S railroad right-o
lot to accommodate where the Chammbberer
multi -use path, of Commerce is
' additional parking currently located.
and/or pop-up use in
vacant lot.
. u i. .
' It
Develop an extension of
Link the two Burnett
Burnett Linear Park F"> _
Linear Parks with a
South from Houser Way SM ITH ERS AVE S
buffered multi -use path
S. to the existing Burnett ,
along Burnett Ave S.
Linear Park South
boundary. Potential for
programming (bocce ball
Re -master pl
allow for protected bike
lanes and pedestrian path.
etc.).
14,
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 27
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
THE JUNCTION
The Junction connects Tonkin Park, the
Renton Connector and the Chamber of
Commerce property into an explorable
district with restaurants, bars, and art along
Burnett Avenue S., Houser Way S. and S.
4th Street. The Junction includes improved
intersection crossings to Tonkin Park across
Burnett Avenue S. and S. 4th Street to improve
safety and walkability. The Junction is also
an important connection to the regional trail
system along Houser Way S. that will connect
the Cedar River Trail, the Lake to Sound Trail,
and the Eastside Rail Corridor. Tonkin Park
becomes an urban picnic grove under the
existing mature canopy trees with dramatic
lighting to under light them at night. An
elevated deck allows visitors to sit and observe
airplane fuselages traveling through the Civic
Core and Downtown to the Boeing factory.
N
w
O Q
o Z L
z z
of Ov m
Outdoor
Seating
Public Art rf' i
fmrnarn+ 7 --
Proposed programmlJingg changes at Tonkin Park
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.31 Activate area with pop-up retail and
art to create a more engaging and
walkable district.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.32 Enhance furniture elements in
Tonkin Park (e.g. elevated deck to sit
and observe passing fuselages).
DDS 2.33 Improve lighting and pedestrian
crossings at intersections.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.34 Construct the design and placemaking
recommendations for Tonkin Park
along with green space and art in the
vicinity of the Chamber of Commerce.
DDS 2.35 Implement the regional trail
recommendation in the updated
Renton Trails and Bicycle Master
Plan along Houser Way S.
y- mil. eke
d
l etote r�'1 `Lawn
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/f PLcMc Grcuer
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73
Parking / Food Trucks
'ublic Existing donkey
Art sculpture relocated
S 4TH ST
t
Simulation showing potential improvements at Tonkin Park
Existing conditions at Tonkin Park
(Brick structure removed and replaced by
elevated deck for viewing passing airplane
fuselages as shown in the simulation below)
2 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
THE GATEWAYS
The gateways are important entry nodes
to Downtown where S. 2nd and S. 3rd
Streets intersect with Main Avenue S.,
particularly at S. 3rd Street where Veterans
Memorial Park is located. Improving the
pedestrian environment with wayfinding and
art will enhance both intersections, including
improvements for connecting pedestrians and
cyclists from the Cedar River Trail to the Civic
Core and Downtown, the Junction and the
Renton Connector.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.36 Improve wayfinding to destinations
from Veterans Memorial Park
and the Renton History Museum,
particularly for the future bicycle
connection on Houser Way S.
DDS 2.37 Activate vacant adjacent storefronts
with art or pop-up retail uses.
Intersection painting to increase visual interest
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.38 Add art in the plaza or on adjacent
corner in the vicinity of the S. 2nd
Street "Downtown" gateway as part
of the Arts Trail.
DDS 2.39 Paint the intersection at Main
Avenue S. and S. 3rd Street.
Bulb outs to improve pedestrian safety
W
THE LIBRARY
The Library is already an iconic space and
big draw for the area. This asset should be
leveraged by improving connectivity and
wayfinding between the Library and other
destinations in the Civic Core and Downtown.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.40 Create a temporary reading room
with Library materials with movable
chairs in the Pavilion and Piazza
during summer events.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.41 Incorporate pedestrian scale
wayfinding to direct bicyclists and
pedestrians to the Civic Core and
Downtown and the regional trail
system from the Library.
many users
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 29
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
POP-UP ALLEYS AND STOREFRONTS
Alleys should be better incorporated into
the Civic Core and Downtown, using these
spaces for seating, small-scale incubator
spaces for cultural events, small-scale retail,
art, music, outdoor movies and eateries.
Empty storefronts can also be converted
into small scale temporary art galleries, show
historic artifacts or information on the area's
rich history, or as retail spaces until sites are
leased more permanently.
Pop-up programming
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.42 Identify vacant storefronts with
willing building owners to locate
pop-up retail or craft uses with local
retailers or craft industrial uses and
artisan makers.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.43 Coordinate with the Renton History
Museum to develop temporary
installations for vacant storefronts.
AQ
Alley between Main Avenue S. and Wells Avenue S.
gramming
30 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 2.44 Consolidate garbage and recycling
into central, screened locations.
DDS 2.45 Through the Renton Downtown
Partnership and coordination with
local businesses, create patio
seating for temporary food carts
in the alley between S. 2nd and S.
3rd Streets from Main Avenue S. to
Wells Avenue S.
DDS 2.46 Develop an alley programming
plan that identifies specific
recommendations for use,
businesses coordination and
ongoing management. This should
include an improvement plan for
lighting and paving.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.47 Improve backs of buildings where
alleys are present.
THE CEDAR RIVERWALK
The Cedar Riverwalk becomes a major
draw to attract residents and visitors to
experience the Civic Core and Downtown.
Better connections to the Cedar River should
include enhanced trails and multi -modal
access from the Civic Core and Downtown and
developing more recreational opportunities
along the Cedar River, while also protecting
salmon habitat. This includes jogging paths,
and the potential for river viewing platforms,
water access for kayaks and paddle boards,
and expanded food and picnic areas along the
greenspace.
QUICK WINS
DDS 2.48 Add pedestrian scale wayfinding to
improve connectivity from the
Civic Core and Downtown to the
Cedar River.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.49 Add interpretive signage that
describes the area's history and
natural resources along the Cedar
River.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 2.50 Improve visual and physical water
access to the Cedar River at Main
Avenue S.
Increase accessibility to the water with easy pedestrian access, viewing, and connected trails
Wayfinding and directional signage help get people to recreational opportunities
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 31
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 3: Integrate Art into the Civic Core and
Downtown
The community engagement process results
indicated that art should be one of the most
important elements in the Civic Core and
Downtown. Art can play several roles, adding
whimsy and excitement on the street and
focused, curated installations that create a
destination and attraction. Art in the Civic
Core and Downtown should also represent the
community, celebrating and incorporating the
diversity of voices that make up Renton. Art
should occur at a variety of scales, variations in
design, and tell multiple stories.
For those reasons, creating art in and for
the area should include as many voices as
possible, from the well -established Renton
Municipal Arts Commission to school -age
children.
QUICK WINS
DDS 3.1 Through local churches and
nonprofits, develop a citywide
outreach plan to encourage
representation in art activities from
the diverse racial, cultural and ethnic
groups residing in Renton.
DDS 3.2 Coordinate with the Renton
Municipal Arts Commission and
local property owners to provide
free or low-cost space in vacant
buildings for artist and gallery
space.
DDS 3.3 Create an "art gallery" in the alleys.
These spaces would be open to all
artists to create art on alley walls.
While this strategy could be part
of a larger alley activation program
described in DDS 2, it could also
be an organizing event for painters,
muralists and spray -paint artists.
DDS 3.4 Incorporate the recommendations
of the 2010 City of Renton Arts and
Culture Master Plan in the Civic
Core and Downtown, as applicable.
DDS 3.5 Incorporate art into the grounds
of facilities such as the IKEA
Performing Arts Center and the
Renton Library, among others.
DDS 3.6 Develop a mural program that
integrates local arts and community -
based organizations to create art
that tells the past and current story
of Renton.
DDS 3.7 Develop a performing arts program
with a list of musicians to perform
at local events throughout the year.
This strategy could also be part of
the larger programming of events
identified for the Heart Block.
Art in alleys
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 3.8 Assign or hire an Arts Coordinator
part-time for visual and performing
a rts.
DDS 3.9 Work with the local performing arts
venues in Renton to create small
theatrical events that can be set
in the Civic Core and Downtown.
This could include local or traveling
artists.
DDS 3.10 Engage the Renton School District
and the Renton Municipal Arts
Commission to collaborate on a
Downtown Arts Studio. The art
studio could be in a vacant space
in the Civic Core or Downtown and
would connect local students with
practicing artists to learn about the
business of art while also creating
original work.
DDS 3.11 Create an "Arts Trail"(See Figure
1.4) using art and interactive
elements in key locations in the Civic
Core and Downtown and along the
Cedar River. The Arts Trail would
consist of a series of existing and
new art pieces, placed on streets or
in parks. Each piece of art should
have a brief description of the
artist and piece of art. As part of
the Arts Trail, develop information
that can be downloaded to identify
the Arts Trail route, information on
the art, and connections to nearby
businesses.
DDS 3.12 Hold an art competition that can be
distributed locally and regionally to
develop art for the Arts Trail. As part
of the competition, organize an arts
festival that showcases the pieces
and draws attention to the Civic
Core and Downtown.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 3.13 Create a non-profit gallery space
that provides opportunities to
showcase art. Space could be
shared with the Downtown Arts
Studio (DDS 3.10), but should
eventually have a separate display
space.
Art along a trail route
3 ^ Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
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to enjoy the Civic Core and Downtown
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scale improvements to the streetscape.
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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W0 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 3 3
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 4: Create Safe, Green and Attractive
Streets
The City of Renton is already planning to
implement a series of bold moves to improve
circulation and access within the Civic Core
and Downtown. Figure 1.5 illustrates these
changes, which include converting one-
way streets to two-way (Williams and Wells
Avenues S., and S. 2nd and S. 3rd Streets).
While the roadway reconfigurations will occur
over several years, these changes will have
a dramatic and positive effect on the area.
Primary Streets are the major connectors for
vehicles, transit, pedestrians and cyclists in
the area that connect to the larger multimodal
grid, as opposed to Secondary Streets, which
provide essential connections, but may carry
less traffic or have limited connections outside
of the Civic Core and Downtown.
While roadway design is an important
element of creating an active Civic Core and
Downtown, off-street access for parking and
back of business services and deliveries is
also essential. Future improvements must
prioritize the creation of a highly walkable,
urban environment. Bicycle and pedestrian
access is important for getting around as well
as to provide access from surrounding areas
without having to drive and park. Several of
the recommendations will be included in the
updated City of Renton Trails and Bicycle
Master Plan, currently in development. (See
Figure 1.4).
QUICK WINS
DDS 4.1 Add pedestrian and vehicular
wayfinding signage to direct
pedestrians to attractions in the
Civic Core and Downtown.
DDS4.2 Construct and install the information
kiosk and pedestrian -focused
wayfinding recommendations
identified in this Plan.
DDS 4.3 Increase the urban tree canopy
either by replacing missing trees
in existing tree grates or adding
tree grates along primary streets,
using appropriate street trees
for urban areas. Depending on
location, existing awnings may limit
street trees to corners or spaces
in between awnings. Where street
trees are not feasible, consider
planters or other low vegetation.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 4.4 Implement the adopted Downtown
Streetscape Design Standards and
Guidelines. Recommendations and
standards from this plan should
be used for general elements and
streetscape improvements.
DDS 4.5 Construct mid -block crossings at key
locations along north/south streets,
particularly for Williams and Wells
Avenues S. where improvements to
the alley system will draw increased
pedestrian activity.
DDS 4.6 Implement the two-way conversions
of Williams and Wells Avenues S.,
and S. 2nd and S. 3rd Streets.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 4.7 Increase lighting on streets,
particularly west of Burnett Avenue
S., using the adopted Downtown
Streetscape Design Standards and
Guidelines. Minimize the use of
cobra head lighting or other high
intensity, but low visual quality
lighting features.
DDS 4.8 Create three north/south "River
Streets" (see page 36) to provide
linear connections across from
the Civic Core and Downtown to
the Cedar River and park spaces,
with educational features and
interactive spaces that improve
the understanding of urban water
quality and the role the City plays in
the larger watershed. River Streets,
unlike other streets in the Civic Core
and Downtown, include interpretive
signage and a planting palette that
reflects the ecology of the Cedar
River, incorporates stormwater
treatment as a celebrated element,
educational and interpretive
signage about green stormwater
infrastructure and the Cedar River
ecosystem, and a consistent and
complementary street tree canopy
and curb bulbs that calm traffic and
create a safer street for pedestrians.
DDS 4.9 Incorporate modern stormwater
facilities into reconstructed streets.
Green street treatments should
focus on accessibility, function,
ease of maintenance, and meet
the National Association of City
Transportation Officials (NACTO)
best practices for street design
and stormwater (https://nacto.
org/publication/urban-street-
stormwater-guide).
DDS 4.10 Provide bicycle facilities and
regional trail connections as
illustrated on Figure1.4.
DDS 5: Support Small Businesses and
Downtown Living
More people are moving to the Civic Core and
Downtown and new businesses are locating
in previously vacant storefronts. To meet the
increased needs of new residents and increase
the attractiveness and desirability of the area,
more amenities such as food, recreation and
programmed opportunities will be needed.
These can be provided either in permanent
locations or as pop -ups. Existing and new
park space should provide a variety of
programming opportunities, both passive and
active programmed events.
QUICK WINS
DDS 5.1 Revise existing City Code to permit
food trucks closer to adjacent to
buildings on off-street parking areas.
Focus first on areas with active
nearby businesses and residences,
such as the alley between S. 2nd
and S. 3rd Streets from Main Avenue
S. to Wells Avenue S. and in the
vacant property near the corner of
Burnett Avenue S. and S. 3rd Street.
3 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan © 0
January 2018
2
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LEGEND
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RIGHT-OF-WAY WIDTH
REDUCE/RECONFIGURE PARKING
ADD PARKING
CONCEPTUAL BUILDING FOOTPRINT
kk A STREET SECTION
FIGURE 1.6
The City of Renton is already planning on
implementing a series of bold moves to improve
circulation and access with the Civic Core and
Downtown. While the roadway reconfigurations
will occur over several years, these changes will
have a dramatic and positive effect on the area.
N
1 0 300' 600'
I Feet
IKEA
Renton
H.S. Performing
Arts
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
35
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
60' RIGHT-OF-WAY
14' 7' 10' 10' 7' 112'
SIDEWALK+AMENITY ZONE GSI/ TRAVELLANE TRAVELLANE PARKING/PLANTER SIDEWALK + SILVA CELV
PARKING PLANTER
Street section illustrating conceptual River Street along Wells Avenue between S. 2nd Street and S. 3rd Street
21' 1 10' 1 10' 1 7' 1 12'
SIDEWALK + OPEN -FLOW STORMWATER PLANTER I TRAVELLANE I TRAVELLANE I PARKING/ PLANTER I SIDEWALK+PLANTER
Street section illustrating conceptual River Street along Wells Avenue between S. 2nd Street and Cedar River
DDS 5.2 Create a marketing package that
provides incentives for those
attending events at the IKEA
Performing Arts Center, Carco
Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre, and
the Pavilion to patronize the Civic
Core and Downtown businesses
and restaurants. The marketing
package could incorporate
existing marketing materials for
individual venues and should also
include recommendations for joint
marketing of existing facilities.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 5.3 Increase the number of parklets
DDS 5.4 Attract a developer through an
Request for Proposal process to
redevelop the Former Big 5 site
(first priority for development) as
a catalyst for increasing housing
and retail options. Incorporate
Gateway Park into the development
as a plaza element. Consider
professional office uses especially
combined with housing.
DDS 5.5 Promote the adaptive reuse of
older Downtown buildings for
makerspace and craft industrial
uses. Identify existing properties
that may be suited for small-scale
manufacturers which can draw foot
traffic and help fill retail spaces that
are difficult to lease or are vacant.
DDS 5.6 Develop a housing investment
strategy (see example in Appendix)
that identifies, at minimum, housing
needs, targets, funding tools, and
marketing. Focus on using City -
owned properties for housing or
mixed -use development.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 5.7 Develop a Downtown Housing
Incentives Program, encouraging
development of mixed -income and
mixed -use housing within the Civic
Core and Downtown.
DDS 6: Increase Economic Activity and
Business Attraction
Increasing economic activity in the Civic Core
and Downtown should focus on increasing
the attractiveness of buildings through
existing programs, such as the City's facade
improvement program, while also adding new
incentives or programs that can further bolster
the Civic Core and Downtown's emerging
business and restaurant district.
Economic development should prioritize
food service and drinking establishments in
the Civic Core and Downtown, particularly
fast casual dining. Where food and beverage
tenants made up about five percent of total
space in retail centers nationwide about a
decade ago, that number is forecast to reach
20 to 25 percent by 2025. A diverse mix of
restaurants and bars are core amenities
that attract workers and residents, spurring
economic development. However, restaurant
businesses can be extremely sensitive to
disruptions in the regulatory environment, so
ensuring that the Civic Core and Downtown
are "restaurant -friendly" is critical. Focus on
regional food and retail, not national chains to
generate more local revenue. Local restaurants
36 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
recirculate an average of 79 percent of their
revenue locally, compared to 30 percent
for the chain eateries. This means a much
larger share of the money spent at a locally
owned restaurant stays in the local economy,
supporting a variety of other businesses and
jobs. Across both sectors, this translates into
about 2.6 times as many local jobs created
when spending is directed to independent
businesses instead of chains.
Flexibility is key to increasing economic
development activities. Vibrant retail today
can take many forms, including food trucks,
shipping containers, pop-up shops and
exhibits, kiosks, and special events and
activities. These are also typically low-
cost options that provide entrepreneurs
easier access to a market while the retail
environment in the Civic Core and Downtown
is in its early stages of development. Ensure
that regulations allow for these new retail
innovations. Food trucks will be critical to this
effort as will revised City regulations, and local
restaurant owner education. Infrastructure
needs are often minimal (only needing
electricity and water) to accommodate these
uses.
Part of this effort should also include upgrading
existing sewer, water, and stormwater as part
of the City's current infrastructure improvement
projects. Generally, with the infrastructure
investment already planned by the City,
identified opportunity areas will have adequate
service, except where noted below with specific
implementation actions.
QUICK WINS
DDS 6.1 Focus facade improvement funds on
specific areas, such as along S. 3rd
Street, with active businesses and
good foot traffic.
DDS 6.2 Create a sign incentive program
that encourages the use of historic-
themed signs such as neon, once
common in Downtown Renton, to
increase the visibility of the historic
features of the area.
DDS 6.3 Promote sidewalk dining and/or
parklets (identified as "streateries" in
the adopted Downtown Streetscape
Design Standards and Guidelines)
through the Renton Downtown
Partnership. The Renton Downtown
Partnership, coordinating with the
City, should be responsible for
marketing and educating existing
and future restaurant owners about
the benefits of parklets and/or
sidewalk dining.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 6.4 Develop a marketing and developer
attraction campaign for publicly -
owned development parcels in the
Civic Core and Downtown.
DDS 6.5 Coordinate with local landowners to
assist with consolidating smaller lots
to be more attractive to potential
developers. This could include
identifying specific regulatory needs
and identification of infrastructure
improvements that may be needed
to redevelop the property.
DDS 6.6 Hire a private retail broker to market
the Civic Core and Downtown
spaces to prospective tenants.
DDS 6.7 Use and market development
incentives such as permit fee
reductions; systems development
charges waivers; tax credit
programs; accelerated/streamlined
review process; pre -application
meetings; and eliminated/reduced
minimum parking requirements
for new development to generate
short-term investment.
DDS 6.8 Develop a retail master plan,
which includes both a vision and
a detailed assessment of food
service and retail needs in the
Civic Core and Downtown. The
assessment should include focus
groups, administrative interviews,
a competitive context analysis,
surveys, a demand analysis, market
research, and a preliminary analysis
of the plan's financial feasibility. The
retail master plan should identify
and develop a program for pick
up and drop off zones, deliveries,
trash collection and removal.
Such a plan would make it easier
for tenants to operate, including
pop -ups. The master plan would
establish a logical retail district with
distinct boundaries and prioritize
improvements to spark desired
retail sector growth.
DDS 6.9 Initiate a demonstration block
program in Downtown on S. 3rd
Street that prioritizes planned
actions into a concentrated one- or
two -block district to create a critical
mass of investment that creates a
visible impact and builds market
momentum.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
DDS 6.10 Increase targeted private investment
by encouraging infill of underutilized
lots or remodeling existing
structures, specifically high visibility
locations such as the Bank of
America site.
DDS 6.11 As part of the current infrastructure
planning process, ensure there
is adequate sewer, water, and
stormwater capacity for future
development in the Civic Core,
particularly the Former Big 5, Transit
Street and Bank of America sites.
NOTE: See DDS 2.14 for future development
of the Transit Street.
Parklets and sidewalk dining
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 37
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Transit Strategies
A primary focus of the transit strategies is to
investments such as additional
restructure transit operations to activate the
comfort stations, sidewalks,
Civic Core and Downtown while ensuring
and/or paving to accommodate new
the same or better level of transit service in
layover locations. The coordination
the area and address current gaps in transit
process with King County Metro can
stop amenities such as shelters, lighting,
begin immediately upon adoption
and signage. As the area continues to grow
of the Plan.
and new regional transit investments are
completed (such as 1-405 BRT and new TS 3
Restructure route alignments
RapidRide routes), transit will take on a larger
to use new on -street stops on
role in providing access into and throughout
S. 3rd Street, S. 2nd Street and
the Civic Core and Downtown. The plan for
consolidated stops on Burnett
transit includes short-term and long-term
Avenue S. Close the Transit Street
implementation phases (Figures 1.6 and 1.7)
and only use Logan Avenue S.
that leverages improvements to the underlying
for F line westbound routing.
roadway network.
Closure of the Transit Street will
require close coordination with
QUICK WINS
King County Metro and possible
coordination with the Federal Transit
TS 1 Restructure Transit Route 101 to
Administration and Federal Highway
start and end at the South Renton
Administration to identify the
Park & Ride while serving the
appropriate operational and capital
Downtown Renton area on its way
implications of the modification.
to and from Downtown Seattle.
TS 4
Establish minimum design
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
standards for all stops within the
Civic Core and Downtown to
TS 2 Move bus layover currently on the
include amenities such as covered
Transit Street and Burnett Avenue
shelters, informational signage, litter
S. to new on -street spaces west
receptacles, seating, and lighting.
of the Civic Core and Downtown,
While King County Metro standards
and to on -street spaces along
stipulate a minimum ridership
Shattuck Avenue S. and/or to
level to warrant a shelter, the City
the South Renton Park & Ride
of Renton may partner with King
(See Appendix). This will require
County Metro to fill in the gaps
coordination with King County
and ensure shelter coverage and
Metro to identify appropriate
amenities at all of the Civic Core
capital, operation, and funding
and Downtown transit stops.
constraints and requirements
as relocation of the layover will TS 5
Ensure the same or better level
require an investment in additional
of transit service in Downtown
layover hours and possible facility
Renton. Evaluate transfer walk
distances under revised routing to
ensure riders can still make existing
transfers between routes, although
the easiest transfer may occur in
areas not in the Civic Core and
Downtown for some routes.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
TS 6 Consolidate bus layover at the
new South Renton Transit Center
constructed for 1-405 BRT. Using
this area for layover will require the
same layover hours as the short-
term recommendations to reach the
South Renton Transit Center.
TS 7 Identify opportunities to coordinate
stop locations and future
development in the Civic Core and
Downtown to better serve the area.
This may include moving the current
stop at Main Avenue S. and S. 4th
Street to be closer to destinations in
the Civic Core and Downtown.
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
In the future, S. 2nd Street and S. 3rd Street
will be converted to two-way operations
from their current one-way configuration.
Additionally, the Plan identifies a two-way
protected bicycle lane on S. 2nd Street as a
long-term action that may require additional
right-of-way. Many alternatives are available to
efficiently route transit through the Civic Core
and Downtown with the conversion of two-way
operations including:
1. One-way alignment of routes with all
trips using westbound S. 2nd Street
and eastbound S. 3rd Street. No use of
Burnett Avenue S. for transit.
2. One-way alignment of routes with all
trips using the new eastbound capacity
on S. 2nd Street and westbound S. 3rd
Street. No use of Burnett Avenue S. for
transit.
3. Two-way operations on both S. 2nd
Street and S. 3rd Street with some
routes using S. 2nd Street and other
routes using S. 3rd Street. No use of
Burnett Avenue S. for transit.
4. Mix of one-way and two-way
operations on S. 2nd Street and S.
3rd Street with the continued use of
Burnett Avenue S.
5. Removing transit from Burnett Avenue
S. would limit delays from turning and
would improve the speed and reliability
of transit through the Civic Core
and Downtown. However, with split
operations on S. 2nd Street and S. 3rd
Street, this would likely create longer
transfer distances between routes.
Depending on where route alignments
intersect in the future, better transfer
opportunities between routes may exist
at the new South Renton Transit Center
or at points north or east of Downtown
Renton.
This long-term implementation provides the
same or better level of transit service into
the Civic Core and Downtown as today and
offers the potential to construct transit priority
treatments along S. 2nd Street and portions
of S. 3rd Street using queue jumps, signal
priority, and off -board fare payment at stop
locations.
3 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
�j January 2018
M 1 G
DOWNTOWN TRANSIT
SHORT-TERM ROUTING
LEGEND
r_ 1 DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT
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FIGURE 1.7
A primary focus of the transit recommendations
is to restructure transit operations in order
to open the area to additional uses and
opportunities while ensuring the same, or
better, level of transit service in the area.
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 39
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RESOLUTION NO. 4330
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40 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Parking Management Strategies
Effective parking management in the Civic
Core and Downtown will provide improved
access to businesses and activities. Parking
management strategies are based on a
parking audit conducted in early 2017 that
included data collection, parking code review,
and discussions with parking enforcement to
provide a clear indication of current parking
use and capacity in the Civic Core and
Downtown. Existing supply is illustrated on
Figure 1.8. Utilization during the peak time
(5:00 pm to 6:00 pm) is shown on Figure 1.9
and includes:
• 350 on -street spaces
• 320 public off-street surface spaces
• 562 public garage spaces (150 are reserved for
park & ride use)
Most on -street spaces have two-hour time
limits from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The off-street
lots limit parking to a maximum of between
two and eight hours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
The City Center Parking Garage is free for up
to two hours, with additional time priced at
two dollars for every two hours.
Key findings from the parking audit include
• The City Center Parking Garage has
substantial excess capacity, with only 10-20%
of current non -park & ride spaces being used
throughout the day.
• On -street spaces are more utilized within the
core of Downtown, particularly along S. 3rd
Street, Williams Avenue S., Wells Avenue S.,
and S. 4th Street, with over 85% utilization
during the midday and PM periods.
• Lower parking turnover occurs after 4:00 pm
as vehicles can stay in the same space after
6:00 pm until 8:00 am the next day.
• On -street spaces are less utilized west of
Burnett Avenue S., with many blocks having
less than 70% utilization.
• Off-street surface lots are well -used,
particularly from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with
over 85% utilization during that time.
• In general, motorists adhered to the parking
time limits, however some were observed
moving their vehicles to a new block to park.
• There is confusion in the City Center Parking
Garage because a ticket is required even if
the patron is parking for less than two hours
(which is free).
• While the municipal code restricts someone
from moving a vehicle to park on the same
block to avoid the two-hour limit, it is not clear
in the code whether someone can park on the
same block on the same day (such as parking
in the morning on a block and parking in
the evening on the same block). This leads
to confusion for residents, business patrons,
employees, and parking enforcement.
• As development continues in the Civic Core
and Downtown, there will be an increase in
freight loading/unloading and passenger
drop-off activity with additional residents
and businesses. This increased activity may
require converting some parking spaces to
loading/unloading zones.
Implementing a comprehensive parking
management strategy will involve many trials
and steps to identify a preferred solution.
n
Parking Restrictions _
]. hour 8-5 #
1 2 hour; 1-15 min
L-4
8-3; No Parking: 3-6 _
6-6
8-6et Lot
Figure 1.9 On -street Parking Restrictions and Off-street Parking Availability by Location
—m-&.
5 2nd S'
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Parking Utilization
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55%-70%
70 % - 85%
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Data not collected for this hour for this lot. Utilization over 85% was observed from 11-12pm. Utilization under 55%was observed from 6-7pm.
Figure 1.10 On -Street and Off -Street Parking Demand (5pm-6pm)
© M Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 41
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Trials should last at least three months PS 4
to provide enough time for patrons to
understand the shift in parking strategy and for
the City to effectively measure the implications
to utilization and supply.
QUICK WINS
PS 1 Provide pedestrian and vehicular
wayfinding signage and improved
marketing that directs both motorists
and pedestrians to the location of
available parking in the City Center
Parking Garage or other off-street
lots. Post on -street signage and other
notifications to inform residents and
businesses of the new strategies and
the availability of alternative parking
supply.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
PS 2 Improve streetscape connections with
better lighting to/from the City Center
Parking Garage and under-utilized off-
street lots.
PS 3 Extend the free parking time from
two to four hours in the City Center
Parking Garage. This would enable
more "park once, shop twice" activity
by extending the free time. It may also
lower demand of highly utilized surface
lots. However, extending free parking
time may lower potential revenue and
may not generate additional users if
other strategies are not implemented.
Evaluate parking demand and
revenue change three months after
implementation to adjust this strategy,
as needed.
Change on -street and off-street time
limits: Shorten parking maximums to
90 minutes for on -street spaces and
two hours for off-street lots and extend
the time limit for on -street and off-
street spaces to 8:00 pm to increase
parking turnover during the peak
time at night and potentially increase
parking usage in the City Center
Parking Garage for people that need
to park for longer than the on -street
time limits. Parking management could
be handled by City staff or contracted
through a private company, similar
to how Redmond and Tacoma, WA
manage parking. Evaluate parking
demand and enforcement feasibility
three months after implementation to
adjust strategy as needed.
PS 5 Revise the parking code. Parking code
updates should add clarity to how
parking is enforced, both for patrons
and enforcement officers. Certain
parking code elements may still require
some interpretation for enforcement.
PS 6 Increase enforcement. This could
improve parking turnover with
vehicles more likely to park within the
time limits. It may require additional
resources for staffing and parking
enforcement vehicles.
PS 7 Implement employee parking
programs through reduced monthly
pricing or other means to increase the
use of the City Center Parking Garage.
That strategy uses excess capacity
within the garage and opens closer on -
street and off-street spaces to patrons.
PS 8 Identify potential parking spaces for
short-term (up to 15 minute) time limits
to allow for freight and goods delivery
and passenger pick-up and drop-off.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
PS 9 Install parking meters that can control
multiple spaces on a block and charge
hourly rates for on -street parking.
Hourly charges would be higher than
the hourly charge in the City Center
Parking Garage and would help
increase parking turnover. This would
also increase parking revenue that
can be invested in wayfinding and
streetscape improvements.
PS 10 Remove or reduce the minimum
parking standard for residential
development within the Civic Center
and Downtown Zone. Other options
include in -lieu fees that may support
other parking management strategies
as a substitute for building additional
parking with development. This
strategy would reduce the cost of
construction and potentially increases
the number of residential units that
may be built.
PS 11 Evaluate the feasibility of enacting
parking agreements with new
development to use excess space at
the City Center Parking Garage. A
parking management program can
track residential parking demand in
the garage to adjust development
standards as needed to ensure
sufficient parking for other needs
such as business patrons, employee
parking, and park & ride users (if this
remains a priority in the future).
4 ^ Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan © 0
L January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Public Facilities Management Strategies
Public facilities strategies leverage city -
owned assets to enhance the Civic Core
and Downtown. While the City of Renton
owns several Civic Core and Downtown
properties, there is an overarching need
for a comprehensive approach to maintain
and utilize all facilities and properties. The
following strategies identify the optimal role
for each facility, improvements or changes
that would allow for this optimization, and
programming recommendations for key vacant
opportunity sites.
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
PF 1 Complete the Strategic Facilities Plan
(SFP) that is currently underway. The
City's facilities, owned or leased, have
a long-term impact on the City's ability
to deliver its mission and vision to its
constituents. The SFP should include
the location, capability, utilization, and
condition of all City -owned or leased
assets to ensure that the goals of
the City's public facilities are aligned
with the City's strategic objectives.
The plan should demonstrate that
each facility supports the City's core
vision and that the recommendations
will yield the highest value to the
community. The plan should apply
to all City real estate assets, not
just those in the Civic Core and
Downtown, and include: a summary
of the asset's existing conditions and
current and future needs; and an
action plan for investment, including
dispositions, repositioning, acquisition,
consolidation or joint use, and public -
private partnerships, among others.
PF 2 Include 24-hour City Center Parking
Garage security patrols and cleanups
using police patrols or a private
security service. This should ultimately
be funded through a parking and
business improvement area (PBIA). The
City should enhance existing police
patrols in the short- term.
PF 3 Restructure the Pavilion lease
agreement as a management contract.
The Pavilion is currently operated
under a lease structure that has some
elements of a typical tenant lease (full
tenant control of the space such as in
a retail lease) but with some features
that are more like a management
contract (e.g., City retains preferential
rights for public events). A more
common model is for the City to solicit
an events center manager that gives
the City full control of the building
itself, with a professional events
manager responsible for day-to-day
management, event coordination,
and promotion. This allows the City
the flexibility to retain the building's
primary function as an events center
while reapportioning the western
section as a public market/food hall.
A management contract would include
performance standards such
as revenue and utilization targets.
It could include an incentive pay
structure to ensure the Pavilion is
filled with frequent and high -quality
events and to reduce the City's risk
that revenues fall short of expenses.
For the public market/food hall, the
City would lease space directly to food
service tenants, and optionally hire
an experienced food hall operator
to manage and oversee operations
per the City's overall direction. Other
elements of a management contract
would include:
• City having responsibility for
tenant improvements and capital
improvements. In conventional
tenant/ landlord lease structures,
the landlord typically makes
improvements to the structure,
which usually includes everything
that would stay in the structure if
the tenant were to move on, such
as light fixtures; heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning (HVAC) system;
and heavy kitchen appliances (e.g.,
dishwashers). This helps align
the manager's activities with their
core strengths (promotion and
organization), while leaving the
City in charge of long- term asset
improvements.
the layover on the Transit Street and
creation of the Renton Connector. This
would require a renegotiation of the
agreement that may relocate the park -
and -ride spaces to the City Center
Parking Garage, allowing Metropolitan
Place to repurpose the ground floor
park -and -ride spaces. The City could
support this transaction by helping
broker the negotiations and assisting
with the design and cost estimations of
the converted space.
PF 5 Plan and implement capital
improvements to the Pavilion.
Regardless of the uses, the structure
requires improvements to its HVAC
system, lighting, bathrooms, and
audio/visual components. Consult
the current tenant to help develop
a comprehensive list of required or
desired improvements. An exterior
entrance to restroom facilities should
be considered.
• Expanded list of approved caterers PF 6
so customers have a wider choice
for events, improving the Pavilion's
marketability.
MID/LONG-TERM ACTIONS
PF 4 Convert the King County Metro
Park and Ride parking spaces in the
Metropolitan Place Apartments to
active retail space. While the existing
lease agreement between King County
Metro and Metropolitan Place is valid
until 2030, the opportunity should
be timed so that active retail space
can be created on Burnett Avenue S.
in conjunction with the relocation of
Solicit a developer and redevelop the
Transit Street once the transit layover
functions move to the South Renton
Park -and -Ride. This requires its own
planning process prior to soliciting a
developer. Begin with a conceptual
planning study and market analysis to
understand what is feasible. As part of
that process, develop core program
criteria for the site, including physical
and visual connection to and between
the City Center Parking Garage, the
Pavilion and Piazza (e.g., active public
spaces, retail, or housing). Finally,
solicit a developer through a request
for qualifications (RFO) process. Other
nearby improvements may occur
© M Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 43
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
simultaneously to minimize disruption
(e.g. the Renton Connector). While
most new development will not
require incentives for the project to
be feasible, the marketing packet may
include any available incentives and
tools, such as:
1. Favorable land sale pricing,
permitted in the State of
Washington if the development
is proven to benefit the public
interest.
2. Impact fee waivers. The City of
Renton currently waives fees
for new "for sale" multifamily
housing projects (greater than
30 units) within the Civic Core
and Downtown, but not for rental
properties. The City may want to
look at whether extending the fee
waiver program to Downtown for
rental housing.
3. Tiered impact fees. The impact of
compact urban developments on
utilities and other infrastructure is
generally lower. The City's impact
fees could therefore be tiered
to reflect the lower impact of a
downtown environment. This
would require a new rate study.
King County Metro Park -and -Ride parking spaces
in the Metropolitan Place Apartments
pp-
..� 00
�P icy
City Center Parking Garage with King County Metro
Park -and -Ride spaces on top levels
Organizational Strategies
Improving organizational capacity and
1. Target marketing and social
function will help the existing Civic Core
media to tell the story of the Civic
and Downtown organizations achieve the
Core and Downtown.
Plan's goals by providing new opportunities
and partnerships. Identification of
2. Transition primary special event
where partnerships or consolidation
coordination from the City and
are recommended could enhance the
Piazza Renton to the Renton
coordination and missions of existing
Downtown Partnership. The City
organizations. Recommendations for specific
would still manage the permit
media and target audiences with the goal of
process but would coordinate
developing a coordinated marketing program,
through the Renton Downtown
are provided below.
Partnership. This group has
already created a series of annual
SHORT-TERM ACTIONS
events, so the transition should
OS 1 Strengthen the Renton Downtown
be relatively seamless. Ideally, the
Partnership (See Appendix for
organization would help recruit
examples).
events to ensure the Civic and
Downtown is active throughout
OS 1.1 Merge with other relevant
the year. Potential events include
organizations, hiring salaried
wine walks, food fairs, sports
staff as possible and increasing
events, car shows, art shows, and
funding. A dedicated, well-
live music. Citywide events that
funded, and efficient downtown
serve the entire community but
organization helps promote the
occur Downtown, such as the
Civic Core and Downtown Vision
Multicultural Festival and Cruise
and encourage new businesses to
the Loop will continue to be led
locate in Downtown. The Renton
by the City of Renton.
Downtown Partnership should
be strengthened and merged
3. Modify the
with other organizations, such
www.rentondowntown.com
as Piazza Renton, to leverage
website to become the primary
existing relationships, local
portal for the Civic Core
knowledge, and familiarity with
and Downtown information.
Downtown. The Renton Downtown
The website would include
Partnership's recent designation
information on retail, events,
as a 501(c)(3) organization allows it
organizations, etc. It should also
access to additional grant sources
include a single calendar for all
(see OS 1.2). A PBIA would ideally
activities in the Civic Core and
fund the organization. The Renton
Downtown. Ideally, the website
Downtown Partnership should be
would provide information on
directly responsible for:
living in the Civic Core and
Downtown and the area as a live,
44 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan © 0
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
work, and play neighborhood.
deductible on federal income
Responsibility should fall to
taxes.
the person responsible for
overall marketing at the Renton OS 2
Assign existing City staff or hire
Downtown Partnership.
new staff in a role as a Downtown
Manager responsible for managing
4. Hire an Executive Director for the
and implementing City activities
Renton Downtown Partnership.
in the Civic Core and Downtown;
Hire a staff person to head the
initiating and promoting programs
organization who has professional
that improve, preserve, and enhance
experience operating a
the Civic Core and Downtown;
downtown organization and/or
and marketing the improvement,
a 501(c)(3). The staff person, as
overall appearance, and economic
well as the general operations of
vitality of the area. The Downtown
the organization, would require
Manager should report directly
funding to be fully effective.
to the Economic Development
Funding may come from event
Director and work in conjunction
revenues, membership dues,
with Community and Economic
sponsorships, and grants and
Development, Community
funding programs from the City,
Services, other City departments,
State, or federal government
local stakeholders, and the wider
(or other private/public/non-
Renton community. The Downtown
profit sources). For the latter, the
Manager would be tasked with:
City may implement a special
dedicated fund, particularly while
1. Being a liaison for Downtown
the PBIA is yet to be formed in
organizations and business
Year 1.
and property owners, including
assisting with property
OS 1.2 Designate Downtown Renton as a
improvement projects and
Main Street through Washington's
building relationships with
Main Street program. Once
partner organizations (e.g.
designated, businesses can
Chamber of Commerce and
contribute and get a tax credit
other economic development
against their State B&O taxes
organizations).
through the Main Street tax credit
incentives program. With the
2. Serving as an advocate for
Renton Downtown Partnership's
the Civic Core and Downtown
recent designation as a
at the local and state levels,
501(c)(3), this tool allows the
which would include working to
donor to receive 75 percent back
improve public policy relating to
from State B&O tax credits and
Downtown issues.
the remaining 25 percent is tax
3. Supporting business and tenant OS 3
recruitment efforts, especially
retailers and restaurants
and, where appropriate,
professional office or craft
industrial/makerspace users.
The Downtown Manager should
also introduce potential tenants
to developers or buildings
for sale or lease. In addition
to connecting these parties,
relationships should be fostered
with retail brokers in the Seattle
metro region so that Renton is
considered a potential location
for prospective tenants. In
undesirable locations for retail,
restaurant, or housing, such as
periphery vacant storefronts or
difficult to lease properties, target
small scale craft manufacturers
or makerspace users to support
reinvestment and build up the
attraction and energy in an area.
Provide matchmaking services
for potential tenants with local
developers interested in this
sector.
4. Facilitating redevelopment
of key opportunity sites. This
should include contacting
owners to explore options for
redevelopment and public -
private partnerships. Another
major component would be
marketing City -owned properties
(specifically identified opportunity
sites) and assisting landowners
and prospective developers.
Perform a study to determine the
feasibility of forming a Parking
and Business Improvement Area
(PBIA), where the Civic Core and
Downtown business owners assess
themselves to provide funding for
extended services aimed at the
economic enhancement of the area.
Funds generated by the PBIA (often
also called a business improvement
district, or BID) would support
actions identified in the Plan,
or future actions established by
Renton Downtown Partnership and
Downtown Manager. Funds could
provide the following services:
1. Security. PBIAs can hire private
security patrols to supplement
existing police patrols and deter
crime.
2. Cleaning. PBIAs can provide the
funding necessary to hire street,
sidewalk, and plaza cleaning
crews to provide an enhanced
level of service over the City's
basic functions. This can also
include "on -call" services for
graffiti removal, broken glass,
or other needs. While cleaning
could also be handled by City
staff, the purpose of a PBIA is to
go above and beyond the level of
cleaning that would be provided
by local authorities.
3. Marketing. A core function of
the PBIA would be to provide
enhanced funding for promotion
of the Civic Core and Downtown.
Funds raised through the PBIA
© Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 4 5
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
would be directed by the Renton
with AWC to explore potential
Downtown Partnership.
funding programs at the state
level.
4. Other services can include
constructing and operating
3. Parking Meter Revenues. Use
parking facilities, installation
curb parking revenue to fund
and maintenance of flower
various capital improvement
baskets and banners, and event
projects in the Civic Core and
promotion.
Downtown. Ultimately, drivers
who park in Downtown can
OS 4 Apply for and utilize funding for capital
finance capital improvements
improvements, such as grants, and
at no cost to the businesses,
other programs. There are several
property owners, or taxpayers.
grant options available:
Business owners are also more
likely to accept metered parking
1. Community Economic
if the revenue is used in the Civic
Revitalization Board (CERB)
Core and Downtown.
Grants. CERB is a state
board focused on economic
4. Local Option Sales Tax. A
development through job
local option sales tax (often
creation in partnership with local
abbreviated LOST) is a special -
governments. The Board has
purpose tax implemented and
the authority to finance public
levied at the city or county level.
infrastructure improvements that
The State of Washington has
encourage new private business
a Commercial Parking Local
development and expansion. In
Option for general transportation
addition to funding construction
purposes (including city street)
projects, CERB provides
and a County Fuel Tax for
limited funding for studies that
"highway purposes" including
evaluate high -priority economic
the construction, maintenance,
development projects.
and operation of city streets.
Eligible projects include domestic
and industrial water, storm water,
5. Other State Programs and Grants.
wastewater, public buildings,
Pedestrian and Bicycle Program
telecommunications, and port
grants are for improvements to
facilities.
the transportation system which
enhance safety and mobility
2. Working with the Association of
for people who choose to walk
Washington Cities (AWC). AWC
or bike. The Complete Streets
engages state elected officials to
Programs funds local government
push local authority's legislative
agendas. Renton should work
arterial retrofits to improve safe
needs of the public, and will
access for all road users.
result in increased residential
opportunities and stimulate the
6. Apply for, utilize, and market
construction of new/ rehabbed
housing incentives to increase
multifamily housing. The City
the supply of multifamily housing.
of Renton currently provides
Explore tax exemption programs
limited, eight or twelve-year
for certain developments and
exemptions from property
implement local regulatory
taxation for qualified new
incentives to encourage
multifamily housing located
development. Many local
in Downtown. Aggressively
incentives already exist, such as
marketing this program can
expediting certain regulatory
help attract new residential
processes (permitting and
development to the Civic Core
plan review), providing density
and Downtown.
bonuses, and selling city -owned
land for development. While the
B. Low Income Tax Credit.
market is currently strong and is
Created by the Tax Reform Act
likely to further improve, limiting
of 1986, the LIHTC program
the need for incentives, select
gives State and local LIHTC-
available programs include:
allocating agencies the
equivalent of nearly $8 billion
A. Multifamily Tax Exemption
in annual budget authority
Program (MFTE). MFTE is
to issue tax credits for the
issued by Washington State.
acquisition, rehabilitation, or
RCW 84.14 has enabled
new construction of rental
multi- family property owners
housing targeted to lower -
to get tax exemptions for
income households.
up to 12 years in exchange
for a minimum of affordable
C. Impact fee waivers. Renton
units for income- and rent-
currently has the option
restricted households. The
of waiving impact fees for
program has established
residential projects, but the
eligibility areas to include
Renton Municipal Code
any property zoned for multi-
currently only enables waiving
family residential. Under RCW
fees for new "for sale"
84.14, an urban center may
multifamily housing projects
be designated as a residential
greater than 30 units in size in
targeted area if it is found
Downtown. The City should
to lack sufficient available,
revise the code to make
desirable, and convenient
Downtown rental multifamily
residential housing to meet the
projects eligible for fee waivers
and market these incentives.
4 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
-.
North
Burnett ;
• Linear ,
Park ,'_To Cedar River
L
l
-.>a�`,mentation
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Implementation
ACRONYMS, .. POTENTIAL
Acronym/Symbol/Title Definition/Funding Source (if applicable)
CDBG Community Development Block Grant
CIP
Capital Improvement Program
COR
City of Renton
Event Revenue
General Fund
Includes existing funding for current staff, funding for future staff, City
department funding, Renton Municipal Arts Commission funding, etc.
K
Thousands (dollars)
KCLS
King County Library System
KC Metro
King County Metro
King County
Millions (dollars)
M
Main Street Tax Credit
Program
A statewide program that assists in funding designated Main Street
programs in Washington.
Dues paid to an organization.
Not Applicable.
Membership Dues
N/A
N/A, But Could Affect
Revenue
Non -Profit Assistance
Non-profit assistance would require a non-profit entity to assist in funding
the strategy.
1% for Arts Program
1% for Arts Program is a funding source where some capital improvements
allocate 1 % of the cost of the project to public art.
Outside Funding Sources
Includes Legislative Member Request, Grant, Bond Issue, Levy
Pavilion Lease
PBIA
Parking and Business Improvement Area or Business Improvement District
Private Development or
Funding
ACRONYMS,..
Acronym/Symbol/Title
RSD
POTENTIAL
Definition/Funding Source (if applicable)
Renton School District
Sound Transit
TBD
To Be Determined
QW
Quick Win (immediate)
ST
Short -Term (one to five years)
MLT
Mid/Long-Term (five to ten years)
•
For further study. This could include additional planning studies or plans
related to specific recommendations.
NOTES:
1. Depending on the strategy, some additional staff resources may be needed. This could
include reclassified staff and/or new positions.
2. As identified action items move into project management in the future, project budgets
should include operating, maintenance, replacement, and long-term capital costs.
3. There are several capital improvement recommendations (parks, roads, trails etc.) that will
require future community engagement to identify specific project elements and final design
of the project.
4. Capital project costs are in 2017 dollars, except for major roadway improvements that include
escalation (assumed 3% per year for 6 years).
4 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
�j January 2018
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Implementation
NOTE: Strategy descriptions are abbreviated versions of those contained in the body of the Plan
DDS 1: Improve Urban Design to Encourage Strolling and Increase Visual Interest
Monument (per
sign): $20K-$40K
Adv. Directional
(per sign): 1 K-$2K
DDS 1.1 Implement
Veh. Directional
pedestrian- and
(per sign):
vehicle -scale
QW
$2K-$4K
COR CIP
wayfinding
Ped. Directional
recommendations.
(per sign): 2K-$3K
Ped. Kiosk (per
sign): $5K-$8K
Interpretive (per
sign): $1 K-$2K
DDS 1.2 Coordinate with
businesses and
landowners to QW
publicize the existing
facade improvement
program.
DDS 1.3 Identify walls or
facades that could
incorporate murals QW
or other unique
storefront art.
COR, Renton
N/A Downtown CDBG
Partnership
COR, Renton
General Fund,
Downtown
Outside
N/A
Partnership,
Funding
Arts
Sources
Commission
DDS 1.4 Prohibit window
screens or murals
that block or reduce QW N/A COR N/A
window or door
transparency.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
Action Items
frame
Cost
Primary
Responsibility/Study
PotentialTime
DDS 1.5 Develop a pilot
Partners
Sources
program to allow
COR, Renton
a food cart pod d
QW
N/A
Downtown
TBD
to be located
Partnership
the Civic Core and
Downtown.
DDS 1.6 Implement the
complete wayfinding
recommendations
ST
SEE DDS 1.1
COR
CIP
identified for the
Civic Core and
Downtown.
DDS 1.7 Implement
adopted Downtown
CIP, Private
Streetscape Design
ST
N/A
COR
Development
Standards and
or Funding
Guidelines.
DDS 1.8 Consider reductions
COR, Renton
N/A, But
or deferrals of permit
ST
N/A
Downtown
Could Affect
fees for adaptive
Partnership
Revenue
reuse of buildings.
DDS 1.9 Provide reductions
in fees for
developments that
N/A, But
create affordable
ST
N/A
COR
Could Affect
housing in the
Revenue
Civic Core and
Downtown.
M I G
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 49
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
DDS 1.10 Provide height
bonuses above the
existing 95-foot
height (consistent
with the Renton
Municipal Code
and FAA height
regulations in effect
at the time of project
approval) if the ST
developer provides
affordable housing,
contributes to parks
or public amenities
funding, or
constructs a public
amenity within the
Civic Core and
Downtown.
DDS 1.11 Consider developing
a sign permitting ST
process that would
allow rooftop signs.
DDS 1.12 Encourage blade
signs where multiple
tenants occupy a ST
single building;
materials should be
metal or wood.
DDS 1.13 Scale signs
appropriately to the ST
building context.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
N/A COR I N/A
N/A I COR I N/A
N/A I COR I N/A
COR, Renton
N/A Downtown N/A
Partnership
DDS 1.14 Illuminate signs by
discreet lighting
ST
N/A
COR
N/A
technologies.
DDS 1.15 Consolidate off-
street parking access
and focus parking MLT N/A COR N/A
access onto alleys or
single driveways.
DDS 2: Provide Active and Engaging Public Spaces
The Pavilion
DDS 2.1 Use garage doors
to create an indoor/
outdoor space
during warmer ST $250K COR General Fund
months with picnic
tables and flexible
seating.
DDS 2.2 Plan year-round
cultural events such
COR, Renton
General
as Octoberfest
ST
TBD
Downtown
Fund, Event
and musical
Partnership
Revenue
performances.
DDS 2.3 Develop a marketing
COR, Renton
�
plan for the Pavilion
ST
$35K
Downtown
General Fund,
and surrounding
Partnership
PBIA
venues.
DDS 2.4 Provide outside
s tpublic CIP, Outside
access o cces to in the ST See DDS 2.5 COR Funding
restroSources
Pavilion.
50 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
Time
frame
Cost
Primary
Respo
Potential
DDS 2.5 Redesign the
Partners
Sources
Pavilion to provide
transparency and
CIP, Outside
access from the
Funding
Piazza north to a
Sources
redeveloped Transit
Some of the
Street and improved
ST
$500K
COR
cost to be
City Center Parking
amortized
Garage. Partition
from lease
a portion of the
revenues from
Pavilion to allow
newly -created
for active uses on
retail spaces
the west side of the
building.
DDS 2.6 Plan and
implement capital
CIP, Outside
improvements for
Funding
the Pavilion and
MLT
$4.5M
COR
Sources
those that increase
Lease
interaction between
Revenues
the Piazza and the
From Pavilion
Pavilion.
The Piazza
DDS 2.7 Provide games such
as ping pong, large
QW
$20K
COR
General Fund
chess boards, and
bean-bag toss.
DDS 2.8 Coordinate
marketing efforts
with the Pavilion to
ST
see DDS 2.3
COR General Fund
increase the number
of events.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
ItemsStudy Action
frame
Primary
- ..
PotentialTime
DDS 2.9 Increase event
Partners
Sources
programming
to include daily
COR, Renton
performances and
ST
TBD
Downtown
General Fund
nighttime events
Partnership
such as outdoor
movies.
DDS 2.10 Re -master plan the
Piazza to incorporate
Gateway Park, the
future festival streets
$150K Master
CIP, Outside
between S. 2nd
ST
Plan
COR
Funding
and S. 3rd Streets
$600K Design
Sources
on Logan Avenue
S. and the Renton
Connector.
DDS 2.11 Complete the
CIP, Outside
reconstruction of the
ST
$3.8-$5M
COR
Funding
Piazza.
Sources
The Backyard
DDS 2.12 Upon relocating
transit operations
COR, Renton
from the Transit
ST
$50K
Downtown
General Fund,
Street, test a
Partnership
PBIA
temporary pop-up
plaza concept.
DDS 2.13 Add seating next to
existing caf6 stand.
ST
$1OK
COR
General Fund
Remove bars on the
windows.
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 51
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
Time
frame
Cost
Primary Potential
Respo
Partners Sources
DDS 2.14 Attract a developer
through a Request
for Proposals
MLT
$25-$50K
COR General Fund
process to redevelop
the Transit Street.
The City Center Parking Garage
DDS 2.15 Market and program
COR, Renton
General
uses of the rooftop
QW
TBD
Downtown
Fund, Event
for seasonal
Partnership
Revenues
activities.
DDS 2.16 Relocate the Police
station to another
ST
TBD
COR
General Fund
location.
DDS 2.17 Remove mirrored
glass on ground
ST
$65K
COR
General Fund
floor spaces to
increase visibility.
DDS 2.18 Add lighting to the
COR, Renton
area to increase
ST
$10K per
Downtown
CIP, PBIA
safety for evening
streetlight
Partnership
events.
DDS 2.19 Retrofit ground floor
spaces for small-
scale retail that can
be leased to small
MLT
$650-$850K
COR
CIP
scale businesses or
the Farmers Market
businesses.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
5 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
PotentialTime Primary
ItemsStudy Action - ..
frame
Partners Sources
The Festival Street
DDS 2.20 Close Logan Avenue
S. south of the Minimal (barriers COR, Renton General Fund,
Transit Street to QW and traffic control Downtown Outside
Funding
cars for community likely needed) Partnership
events such as the Sources
Farmers Market.
DDS 2.21 Remove the center
median to improve
pedestrian access
ST
$76K
COR
CIP
across the street
when it is closed for
events.
DDS 2.22 Organize an annual
Renton
food truck festival
ST
TBD
Downtown
Event
or Taste of Renton
Partnership
Revenues
event.
DDS 2.23 Organize regular
COR, Renton
music performances,
ST
TBD
Downtown
General Fund,
dances or outdoor
Partnership
PBIA
movies in the street.
DDS 2.24 Design and
construct a curbless
festival street along
Logan Avenue S.
General Fund,
between S. 2nd and
ST
$81M COR
Outside
S. 3rd Streets, and
Funding
along S. 3rd Street
Sources
between Logan
Avenue S. and
Burnett Avenue S.
FM-1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
The Renton Connector
DDS 2.25 Work with local
General Fund,
artists to develop
COR, Arts
Outside
Funding
art installations
along the Renton
QW
TBD
Commission,
Sources,
Connector
Non -Profits
Private
alignment.
Development
or Funding
DDS 2.26 Acquire and develop
$650K
an extension of
(estimated
Burnett Linear Park
market cost)
CIP, Outside
North from S. 2nd
ST
to M (King
COR
Funding
Street to the existing
Countmyy assessed
Sources
Burnett Linear Park
value) for acq.
North boundary.
N
DDS 2.27 Design the Renton
CIP, Outside
Connector as a
ST
$4.7M
COR
Funding
phased project.
Sources
DDS 2.28 Implement a
preliminary design
phase of the Renton
Connector that can
ST
$500K
COR CIP, CDBG
be accommodated
with existing
revenue.
DDS 2.29 Develop parks
masterplans for the
area from S. Grady
Way to S. 5th Street
(Burnett Linear Park
ST
$150K
COR CIP
S.) and from S. 2nd
Street to the Cedar
River (Burnett
Linear Park N.).
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
Study
Action ItemsResponsibility/
frame
Primary
PotentialTime
DDS 2.30 Construct the major
Partners
Sources
elements of the
Renton Connector.
CIP, Outside
The design should
MLT
$26M
COR
Funding
incorporate art,
Sources
distinctive branding,
wayfinding and
finishes.
The Junction
DDS 2.31 Activate area with
COR, Renton
pop-up retail and
Downtown
General
art to create a more
QW
N/A
Partnership,
Arts
Fund, Private
Development
engaging and
Commission,
or Funding
walkable district.
Non -Profits
DDS 2.32 Enhance furniture
elements in Tonkin
ST
$40K
COR
CIP
Park.
DDS 2.33 Improve lighting and
$200e (per
CIP, Outside
pedestrian crossings
ST
intersection)
ction)
COR
Funding
at intersections.
Sources
DDS 2.34 Construct the design
and placemaking
$110K (design)
recommendations
MLT
$700K
COR
CIP
for Tonkin Park and
(construction)
vicinity.
DDS 2.35 Implement the
regional trail
recommendations in
COR, King
CIP, Outside
the updated Renton
MLT
TBD County
Funding
Trails and Bicycle
Sources
Master Plan along
Houser Way S.
M I G
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 5 3
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Time Primary Potential
Action Items frame Cost Respo
Partners Sources
The Gateways
DDS 2.36 Improve wayfinding
to destinations from
Veterans Memorial
QW see DDS 1.1
COR
CIP
Park and the Renton
History Museum.
DDS 2.37 Activate vacant
COR, Renton
Downtown
General Fund,
adjacent storefronts
QW TBD
Partnership,
Outside
with art or pop-up
Arts
Funding
retail uses.
Commission
Sources
DDS 2.38 Add art in the plaza
or on adjacent
corner in the vicinity
COR, Arts
General
of the S. 2nd Street
ST TBD
Commission
Fund, 1 % Arts
"Downtown"
Program
gateway sign as part
of the Arts Trail.
COR, Renton
DDS 2.39 Paint the intersection
Downtown
General Fund,
at Main Avenue S.
ST TBD
Partnership,
1 % for Arts
and S. 3rd Street.
Arts
Program
Commission
The Library
DDS 2.40 Create a temporary
reading room with
Renton
Library materials
Do
Downtown
with movable chairs
QW
$1OK
Partnership,
Non -Profit
in the Pavilion
King County
Assistance
and Piazza during
Library
System
summer events.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
54 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
ItemsStudy Action
Primary
..
PotentialTime
DDS 2.41 Incorporate
Partnersframe
-
pedestrian scale
wayfinding to
direct bicyclists
ST
see DDS 1.1
COR
CIP
and pedestrians to
the Civic Core and
Downtown.
Pop-up Alleys and Storefronts
DDS 2.42 Identify vacant
storefronts with
willing building
General
owners to locate
COR, Renton
Fund, Private
pop-up retail or
QW
N/A
Downtown
Development
craft uses with local
Partnership
or Funding
retailers or craft
industrial uses and
artisan makers.
DDS 2.43 Coordinate with
the Renton History
COR, Renton
Museum to
develop temporary
ST
TBD
Downtown
General Fund
installations for
Partnership
vacant storefronts.
COR,
DDS 2.44 Consolidate garbage
Renton
Private
and recycling into
ST
$10K-$15K
Downtown
Development
central, screened
Partnership,
or Funding,
locations.
Local
PBIA
Businesses
DDS 2.45 Create patio seating
for temporary food
Renton
carts in the alley
Downtown
PBIA, Private
between S. 2nd and
ST
TBD
Partnership,
Development
S. 3rd Streets from
Local
or Funding
Main Avenue S. to
Businesses
Wells Avenue S.
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
Time
frame
Cost
Primary
Respo
Potential
Partners
Renton
Sources
40
DDS 2.46 Develop an alley
ST
$5K
Downtown
Partnership,
PBIA, Private
Development
programming plan.
Local
or Funding
Businesses
Renton
DDS 2.47 Improve backs of
Downtown
PBIA, Private
buildings where
MLT
TBD
Partnership,
Development
alleys are present.
Local
or Funding
Businesses
The Cedar Riverwalk
DDS 2.48 Add pedestrian
scale wayfinding to
improve connectivity
from the Civic Core
QW
See DDS 1.1
COR
CIP
and Downtown to
the Cedar River.
DDS 2.49 Add interpretive
signage that
describes the area's
ST
See DDS 1.1
COR
CIP
history and natural
resources along the
Cedar River.
DDS 2.50 Improve visual and
CIP, Outside
physical water access
MLT
TBD
COR
Funding
to the Cedar River at
Sources
Main Avenue S.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
Study
Time Primary Potential
LAction Items frame Clost Respo
Partners Sources
hMOMMMM I A I
DDS 3: Integrate Art into the
Civic Core and Downtown
DDS 3.1 Develop a citywide
outreach plan
to encourage
representation in
COR, Local
General Fund,
art activities from
QW $50K Churches,
Non -Profit
the diverse racial,
Non -Profits
Assistance
cultural and ethnic
groups residing in
Renton.
DDS 3.2 Provide free or low-
Arts
Commission,
General
cost space in vacant
QW
TBD
Local
Fund, Private
buildings for artist
Property
Development
and gallery space.
Owners
or Funding
COR, Renton
General Fund,
DDS 3.3 Create an "art
QW
TBD
Downtown
Partnership,
Outside
gallery" in the alleys.
Arts
Funding
Commission
Sources
DDS 3.4 Incorporate the
recommendations
See 2010
of the 2010 City of
City of
See 2010 City
Renton Arts and
QW
TBD
Renton Arts
of Renton Arts
Culture Master Plan
and Culture
and Culture
in the Civic Core
Master Plan
Master Plan
and Downtown, as
applicable.
DDS 3.5 Incorporate art
General Fund,
into the grounds of
COR, Arts
RSD, KCLS,
facilities such as the
Commission,
Non -Profits,
IKEA Performing
QW
TBD
Non -Profits,
Outside
Arts Center and
RSD
Funding
the Renton Library,
Dources
among others.
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 5 5
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Time
frame
Primary
Responsibility/
Partners
PoteStudy ntial
Funding
Sources
DDS 3.6 Develop a mural
program that
integrates local arts
COR, Arts
and community-
Commission,
General Fund,
based organizations
QW
TBD
Non -Profits,
Non -Profit
to create art that
Renton High
Assistance
tells the past and
School
current story of
Renton.
DDS 3.7 Develop a
performing arts
COR, Arts
General Fund,
program with a list of
QW
TBD
Commission,
Non -Profit
musicians to perform
Non -Profits,
Assistance
at local events
RSD
throughout the year.
DDS 3.8 Assign or hire an
Arts Coordinator
ST
$30-$50K
COR, Arts
1 % for Arts
part-time for visual
Commission
Program
and performing arts.
DDS 3.9 Work with the local
performing arts
venues in Renton
COR, Arts
Commission,
General Fund,
to create small
theatrical events
ST
TBD
Non -Profits,
Non -Profit
that can be set in
Renton High
Assistance
the Civic Core and
School
Downtown.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
56 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
Study
Action ItemsResponsibility/
frame
Primary
PotentialTime
DDS 3.10 Engage the Renton
Partners
Sources
School District and
Renton Municipal
Arts Comission to
collaborate on a
Downtown Arts
Studio located in
Renton
a vacant space in
Downtown
General
the Civic Core or
ST
TBD
Partnership,
Fund, Private
Downtown that
Arts
Development
would connect
Commission,
or Funding
RSD
local students with
practicing artists
to learn about the
business of art while
also creating original
work.
DDS 3.11 Create an "Arts
Trail"using art and
interactive elements
COR, Renton
General
in key locations in
ST
TBD
Downtown
Partnership,
Fund, PBIA,
the Civic Core and
Arts
Non -Profit
Downtown and
Commission
Assistance
along the Cedar
River.
DDS 3.12 Hold an art
competition that can
Renton
General
be distributed locally
ST
N/A
Downtown
Partnership,
Fund, PBIA,
and regionally to
Arts
Non -Profit
develop art for the
Commission
Assistance
Arts Trail.
General
DDS 3.13 Create a non-
Renton
Fund, PBIA,
profit gallery space
Downtown
Non -Profit
that provides
MLT
TBD
Partnership,
Assistance,
opportunities to
Arts
Outside
showcase art.
Commission
Funding
Sources
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
DDS 4.7 Increase lighting
on streets,
particularly west of
CIP, Private
Burnett Avenue S.,
Development
implementing the
MLT
see DDS 2.18
COR
or Funding,
Outside
adopted Downtown
Funding
Streetscape Design
Sources
Standards and
Guidelines.
DDS 4.8 Create three north/
south "River Streets"
$30M
to provide linear
CIP; Outside
connections across
MLT
Only includes
COR
Funding
from the Civic Core
blocks within
Sources
and Downtown to
the Downtown
the Cedar River and
Business District
park spaces.
CIP, Private
DDS 4.9 Incorporate modern Development
stormwater facilities MLT $800 per LF COR or Funding,
into reconstructed Outside
streets. Funding
Sources
DDS 4.10 Provide dedicated
bicycle lanes COR, King CIP, Outside
and regional trail MLT TBD County Funding
Sources
connections.
DDS 5: Support Small Businesses and Downtown Living
DDS 5.1 Revise existing City
Code to permit
food trucks closer QW N/A COR General Fund
to buildings on off-
street parking areas.
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 57
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
Time
frame
Cost
Primary
Respo
Potential
DDS 5.2 Create an marketing
Partners
Sources
package that
provides incentives
for those attending
events at the IKEA
General
Performing Arts
Center, Carco
QW
$5K
COR, RSD
FundPrivate
Theatre, Renton
Development
or Funding
Civic Theatre,
and the Pavilion
to patronize
businesses and
restaurants.
COR, Renton
DDS 5.3 Increase the number
ST
TBD
Downtown
Partnership,
CIP, Private
Development
of parklets.
Private
or Funding
Businesses
DDS 5.4 Attract a developer
through an Request
for Proposal process
to redevelop the
Former Big 5 site
ST
$25-$50K
COR
General Fund
as a catalyst for
increasing housing
and retail options.
DDS 5.5 Promote the
adaptive reuse of
older downtown
COR, Renton
Private
buildings for
ST
TBD
Downtown
Development
makerspace and
Partnership
or Funding
craft industrial users.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
DDS 5.6 Develop a housing
investment strategy
that identifies, at
minimum, housing
needs, targets,
funding tools,
and marketing for
housing or mixed -
use development.
DDS 5.7 Develop a
Downtown Housing
Incentives Program
encouraging
development of
mixed -income and
mixed -use housing
within the Civic Core
and Downtown.
COR,
Affordable
Housing
ST $50K- $70K Partners,
Renton
Downtown
Partnership
COR,
MLT TBD Affordable
Housing
Partners
DDS 6: Increase Economic Activity and Business Attraction
COR,
DDS 6.1 Focus facade
Businesses
improvement funds
and Property
on specific areas,
QW
N/A
Owners,
such as along S. 3rd
Renton
Street.
Downtown
Partnership
DDS 6.2 Create a sign
incentive program
that encourages
the use of historic- QW
themed signs
such as neon,
once common in
Downtown Renton.
General Fund,
Outside
Funding
Sources
General Fund
(analysis and
incentives),
Outside
Funding
Sources
(incentives)
N/A
COR,
Businesses
General
and Property
Fund, Private
TBD
Owners,
Development
Renton
or Funding
Downtown
Partnership
5 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
a January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
Time
frame
Cost
Primary
Respo
Partners
Potential
Sources
DDS 6.3 Promote sidewalk
dining and/or
COR, Renton
parklets through the
QW
N/A
Downtown
N/A
Renton Downtown
Partnership
Partnership.
DDS 6.4 Develop a marketing
and developer
•
attraction campaign
ST
$25-$50K per
COR
General Fund
for publicly -owned
property
development
parcels.
DDS 6.5 Coordinate with
local landowners
to assist with
consolidating
ST
TBD
COR
General Fund
smaller lots to be
more attractive
to potential
developers.
Monthly retainer
DDS 6.6 Hire a private retail
for services:$3-
broker to market
$5K per month,
the Civic Core and
ST
or a one-time
contract for
COR
General Fund
Downtown spaces to
a marketing
prospective tenants.
strategy:
$10-$15K
DDS 6.7 Use and market
N/A, But
development
ST
N/A
COR
Could Affect
incentives.
Revenue
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
Action Items
frame
Cost
PotentialTime Primary
Responsibility/Study
Partners Sources
DDS 6.8 Develop a retail
master plan for
ST
$40K
COR General Fund
the Civic Core and
Downtown.
DDS 6.9 Initiate a
demonstration
block program in
See other actions
General Fund,
Downtown on S. 3rd
ST
in the area
COR
Outside
Street that prioritizes
selected
Funding
planned actions into
Sources
a concentrated one -
or two -block district.
DDS 6.10 Increase targeted
private investment
by encouraging infill
of underutilized
lots or remodeling
MLT
N/A
COR
N/A
existing structures,
specifically high
visibility locations
such as the Bank of
America site.
DDS 6.11 As part of the
current infrastructure
planning process,
ensure there
CIP, Outside
is adequate
MLT
TBD
COR
Funding
sewer, water,
Sources
and stormwater
capacity for future
development.
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 5 9
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
frame Cost
Responsibility/Time Primary Potential
Sources
TRANSITPartners
•.
TS 1 Restructure Transit
Route 101 to start
and end at the South
Renton Park & Ride
QW $150K in cap ital
KC Metro, KC Metro
while serving the
COR
Downtown area on
its way to and from
Downtown Seattle.
TS 2 Move bus layover
Downtown
currently on the
layover: $900K-
Transit Street and
$1.8M capital
Burnett Avenue S.
$850K-1.1 M
to new on -street
annual operating
spaces west of the
ST
costs
KC Metro,
KC Metro
Civic Core and
COR
Downtown, to on-
South Renton
street spaces along
layover: $600K-
Shattuck Avenue S.
$1.2M capital
and/or to the South
$2.5M-$3.5M
Renton Park & Ride.
annual costs
TS 3 Restructure route
alignments to use
new on -street stops
on S. 3rd Street,
S. 2nd Street and
consolidated stops
ST
$570K - $820K
KC Metro,
KC Metro
on Burnett Avenue
COR
S. Close the Transit
Street and only use
Logan Avenue S. for
F line westbound
routing.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
TS 4 Establish minimum
design standards
for all stops within
the Civic Core
and Downtown to
KC Metro,
include amenities
ST
$100-$150K
COR KC Metro
such as covered
shelter, informational
signage, litter
receptacles, seating,
and lighting.
TS 5 Ensure the same
or better level of
transit service in
Downtown Renton.
Evaluate transfer
K ro
walk distances under
ST
N/A
KC Metro
COR
revised routing to
ensure riders can
still make existing
transfers between
routes.
TS 6 Consolidate bus
$900K-$1.2M
layover at the new
capital
KC Metro,
KC Metro,
South Renton Transit
MLT
COR
Sound Transit
Center constructed
$2.5M-3.5M
for 1-405 BRT.
annual costs
TS 7 Identify
opportunities to
coordinate stop
locations and future
MLT
N/A KC Metro, N/A
development in
COR
the Civic Core and
Downtown to better
serve the area.
60 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
PS 1 Provide pedestrian,
vehicular signage
and improved
marketing that directs
both motorists and
pedestrians to the
location of available
parking in the City
Center Parking Garage
or other off-street lots.
PS 2 Improve streetscape
QW I see DDS 1.1 COR
connections with better
lighting to/from the ST see DDS 2.18 COR
City Center Parking
Garage and under-
utilized surface lots.
PS 3 Extend the free parking
time from two to
four hours in the City
Center Parking Garage.
This would enable
more "park once,
shop twice" activity
by extending the free
time.
Minimal in lost
ST parking revenues
(< $1 K annually)
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
COR
CIP
CIP
N/A, But
Could Affect
Revenue
PS 4 Change on -street
and off-street time
limits. Shorten parking
maximums to 90
minutes for on -street
spaces and two hours
for off-street lots and
extend the time limit
for on -street and off-
street spaces to 8:00
pm.
PS 5 Revise the parking
code.
PS 6 Increase enforcement
to improve parking
turnover.
PS 7 Implement employee
parking programs
through reduced
monthly pricing
or other means to
increase the use of the
City Center Parking
Garage.
PS 8 Identify potential
parking spaces for
short-term (up to 15
minute) time limits to
allow for freight and
goods delivery and
passenger pick-up and
drop-off.
$5K-$10K for
ST
signs COR General Fund, $15K for CIP
enforcement
ST N/A COR N/A
$60K in vehicle
costs
ST COR PBIA
$35K in annual
costs (1 /2 FTE)
N/A (reduced
ST revenue per permit
is balanced with
increasing permits)
ST I Minimal (< $5K)
N/A, But
COR Could Affect
Revenue
COR General Fund
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 61
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Study
Action Items
PS 9 Install parking meters
that can control
multiple spaces on
a block and charge
hourly rates for on-
street parking.
frame
MLT
Cost
$150-200Kto
install
$15Kannual
operations and
maintenance
RespoTime Primary Potential
Partners Sources
COR PBIA
PS 10 Remove or reduce
the minimum parking
standard for residential
development within
MLT
N/A
COR N/A
the Civic Center and
Downtown Zone. Other
options include in -lieu
fees.
PS 11 Evaluate the feasibility
of enacting parking
agreements with new
development to use
MLT
N/A
COR
N/A
the excess space at the
City Center Parking
Garage.
MANAGEMENTPUBLIC FACILITIES
-.
PF 1 Complete the Strategic
Facilities Plan (SFP)
that is currently
underway. It should
In Process
include the location,
ST
(completion in
COR
General Fund
capability, utilization,
2018)
and condition of all
City -owned or leased
assets.
QW= Immediate; ST= 1 to 5 years, MLT= 5 to 10 years
6 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
Action Items
frame Cost
Primary
Responsibility/Study
Partners
PotentialTime
Sources
PF 2 Include 24-hour City
Center Parking Garage
in security patrols and
COR,
cleanups using police
Up to $100K per
Business
and Property
General Fund,
patrols or a private
ST
year
Owners,
PBIA
security service. The
Downtown
City should enhance
Residents
existing police patrols
in the short-term.
PF 3 Restructure the Pavilion
Event
lease agreement as a
ST
TBD COR
Revenues,
management contract.
Pavilion Lease
PF 4 Convert the King
Future Lease
County Metro Park and
TBD,
Private
Revenues
from New
Ride parking spaces in
MLT
potentially up to
Property
Retail Space,
the Metropolitan Place
$2M for property
Owners, KC
Private
Apartments to active
conversion
Metro, COR
Development
retail space.
or Funding
PF 5 Plan and implement
CIP, Pavilion
capital improvements
MLT
See DDS 2.5 and
COR
Lease, Event
to the Pavilion Event
2.6
Revenues
Center.
PF 6 Solicit a developer and
redevelop the Transit
•
Street once the transit
layover functions move
MLT
See DDS 2.14 COR
General Fund
to the South Renton
Park -and -Ride.
M 1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
OS 1 Strengthen the Renton Downtown Partnership
OS 1.1 Merge with
other relevant
organizations,
hiring salaried staff
as possible, and
increasing funding.
ST
$50-$75K
Renton
Downtown
Partnership,
Piazza
Renton, COR
General Fund,
membership
dues, Event
Revenues,
PBIA, Main
Street Tax
Credit
Program
OS 1.2 Designate
Downtown
Renton as a Main
Street through
Washington's Main
Membership
Street program.
Dues, Event
Once designated,
Renton
Revenues,
businesses can
ST see OS 1.1
Downtown
PBIA, Main
contribute and get
Partnership
Street Tax
a tax credit against
Credit
their State B&O
Program
taxes through the
Main Street tax
credit incentives
program.
OS 2 Assign existing staff or
hire new staff as a City
Downtown Manager.
The Downtown Manager
should report directly
ST
$50-$75K
COR
General Fund
to the Economic
annually
Development Director
and work in conjunction
with the wider Renton
community.
OS 3 Perform a study
to determine the
feasibility of forming a
Parking and Business
Renton
Improvement Area
Downtown
(PBIA), where the Civic
$50K for feasi-
Partnership,
Core and Downtown
ST
bility study and
Business
General Fund
business owners assess
implementation
and Property
themselves to provide
Owners,
funding for extended
COR
services aimed at the
economic enhancement
of the area.
OS 4 Apply for and utilize
funding for capital
improvements, such M T TBD COR N/A
as grants, and other
programs.
63 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
2i -
M3
y
4k
'or
NNW
Saturday
it.
. Lul
--mom
fi:og
--Mon
"'Wow-
jk
Ap,
4f
or
40 -A&
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
-c
WILLIAMS // WELLS AVENUE
RIVER STREET
TWO WAY CONVERSION
60 ft. Tota
Ar)'o'endix A
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
BURNETT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD
:TYPICAL SECTION. ,1"';r
46
EXISTING
88 ft. Total
r'Dr1CC CC(--71r",1\1 nT DI IC CTr'=
EXISTING
88 ft. Total
66 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
M [I 7G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
BURNETT BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH
EXISTING
140 ft. Total
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 67
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
BURNETT BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH
EXISTING
6 n Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
�j January 2018
FM-1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
3RD STREET
EXISTING ONE WAY
64 ft. Total
2ND STREET
SHORT TERM
ALTERNATIVE
T\n/n \A/AY (-nN\/FRgInN
EXISTING ONE WAY
60 ft. Total
2ND STREET
LONG-TERM
ALTERNATIVE
T\Nn WAY WITH
EXISTING ONE WAY
60 ft. Total
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan 6 9
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
WILLIAMS // WELLS AVENUE
nl\/rn C'TnrrT
EXISTING
60 ft. Total
LOGAN AVENUE BETWEEN
2ND AND 3RD
r`1 Innl rC'C' nrrlr C'Tnl n nI
EXISTING
58 ft. Total
70
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
FM-1 G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
(� PEDESTJJZJRIAN DIRECTORY / KIOSK
FRONT BACK
mmm%mm�
ELEVATION 0 6" 1' 2'
Renton
pendix B
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Renton Wayfinding System
F.1H9:10IQQyl:7xelIM0FWAI
RENTON WAYFINDING SYSTEM
SCALE: 3l8"=V-0"
I 1101TA 01 C01►1U I Key.11 I XU►/ \ A &ds] 01 It & I A l 11
MAg71N111W1:4I]I.11:14 A01F.11I
1DIM IVF101911:1►IM*19 :111y/Q9.1011g1
T
T
PEDESTRIAN DIRECTIONAL
MMMMMP�
ELEVATION 0 6, 1' 2'
7 ^ Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
L January 2018
M I G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Downtown Gateway Monument
Steel box, faux painted as
weathered steel. Renton
letters etched and paint
filled.
Powder coated aluminum
graphic panel back lit with
LEDs for halo illumination.
Acrylic letters pushed
through graphic panel are
illuminated from behind.
Monotone photo
features historic
image relevant
to downtown. A
different photo to
be used for each
gateway.
Blue color based
from Renton brand
guides: PMS 7455
FRONT
DOWNTOWN GATEWAY MONUMENT ==%==�
l SCALE:112"=V-0" ELEVATION
0 6" 1' 2'
M I G
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 73
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Vehicular Directional
PMS 7455
PMS 382
Is
FRONT
Painted steel panels with
applied reflective vinyl
letters, icons, and arrows
mount to steel backer plate.
Steel backer plate
painted to match
gateway monumen
mounts to existing
light pole.
Direct print image
of historic photo.
Protective clear coat
applied.
VEHICULAR DIRECTIONAL MMM%==?�
J SCALE:1/2" " =V-0ELEVATION
0 6" 1' 2'
7 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Vehicular Advance Directional
FRONT
VEHICULAR ADVANCE DIRECTIONAL
SCALE: 111-1'-0" ELEVATION
0 6" 1' 2'
City of Renton
® Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018 75
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
City of Renton
Pedestrian Directory / Kiosk
FRONT BACK
PEDESTRIAN DIRECTORY / KIOSK mmm%==?�
J SCALE:112"=V-0" ELEVATION
0 6" 1' 2'
7 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RX G
E3
L
IF
�,� fir. • rij��w!yr � + S� t +��' �C�� ` `�'^'~ y'-� � • `• �� l :Y - ` � • •
Up
� �. � } � •}.��4��'� w,. ate �,Y ,;—.+y��fe* .V.
.
Kt
• r,• „ . 'E Piazza
Pavilion
4A Pu[Ak U4lary y
AL
- It .. i ♦ �'� _ :�;�`"� , t —
ld
tilt
IL
y-
M f G
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Interpretive Panel
FRONT BACK
INTERPRETIVE PANEL
SCALE: 1/2"=1'-0. ELEVATION
0 6" 1' 2
;OR
7 Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan
January 2018
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
Only F Line
southbound
routing on
Logan Ave S.
Renton IKEA
H.S. Performing
Arts
--------------1—
N 2nd St
ij
S Tillicum St
S Tobin St
�r
S�
Ln a�O
L
3 'a
m
Ln
> 1 1 1 1
IU 1 1 ,� a
� ---1 - ----_ 40
15ot\
S 2nd St i
Potential for
L_
'
consolidation to one
stop northbound and
one stop southbound
pavilion
'
on Burnett Ave S.
N 2nd
560
566
V)
>
N
N
N
0
E
a
a
a
T
N
Museum
cn
Opportunity for new
on -street parking in
>
front of retail on
+,
Burnett Ave S.
m
c
m
S 4th St
11------------
L — — — r
S 5th St
1
1f
1
I
1
1
1
Ln
a,
a
m
Q'
7
m
Q
C
0
C
a�
pend
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
AkW
-To-Win St t
M"14M
105 60
106 100
107 60
153 100
167 60
169 100 - Q
240 60
342 60
co a'
907/908 60 .
S 134th st
4-1
Q
-1
0
3
150ft iE
MEMOM
120ft Parking in front of unuso
curb cut
Consider potential tra,
lane/curb cut conflic-
N
au
Q
s
Ln
SW Sunset
a
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
This location previously was used
for layover prior to Renton TC
construction
G�
cu
c
cp
0
Likely requires protected
crossing and additional lighting
�W
Z
Z Z Z
S Tillicum St ,e Q >
Q' Q
1st o�
Existing on -street Ir
layover ��� _
�mIS
2�
60ft c
N
Renton
Transit
' inter
oo
ol
S Q
may
ouSeC
N =
m
T
Q>
cc
C
cn N S 5th St
,ram a >
Q
_ O N
� s
A.
0 0.125 t 0.25
Miles list I M k A!.
This concept is a near -term solution (possible in fall of 2018) for relocating existing Renton Transit Center layover by using on -street space in
areas west of downtown Renton. The map highlights the available on -street areas that would provide suitable capacity for layover. Total layover
need is approximately 600 to 700 feet.
The estimated additional deadhead service hours required for this concept are approximately 6,000 to 8,000 annual hours. Additional time may
be required due to added walk time for drivers to reach a comfort station.
W
a,
Q>
a,
N
Q M
V
0
Existing Transit
® Civic Core Area
t
QDowntown Business District
Potential On -Street Layover Locations
s
Downtown Renton Layover Alternative
Locations: Draft Concept
M I G
Draft Renton Downtown Civic Core Vision and Action Plan n
January 2018 a
RESOLUTION NO. 4330
PREPARED BY: � �
mc,g nomi, � JANUARY 2018