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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW - Econ Dev Update Feb 2026ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE COW, February 23, 2026 Gina Estep, CED Administrator Amanda Free, ED Director Jessie Kotarski, ED Manager Renton, Ready to Play 2026 Heart Block Projects Update Legacy Square & Gateway Piazza Renton Market Under Construction Heart Block Grants & Sponsorships To Date Pavilion / Renton Market: $1,500,000 Federal SBA Grant for construction Piazza: $1,440,450 WA DOC Grant for construction Legacy Square: $1,498,650 WA DOC Grant for stage construction$60,000 Port of Seattle Grant used for activation $80,000 Port of Seattle Grant to be used for activation$125,000 Rave Foundation Donation for partnership and court$600,000 Lodging Tax Allocation Funds for 2026 Activation$120,000 Trust for Public Lands for future activation$75,000 Activation Sponsorship in final discussions Exploring other Activation Sponsorship Opportunities Total Amount of $5,499,100 Legacy Square Activation •Update to Council January 12, 2026 •Monthly Business Information Sessions First session held February 5th with the topic of Legacy Square Activation. •Upcoming Business Information Session •March 5th - Renton, Ready to Play brand kit and Visit Renton •April 2nd – Renton Market Update •May 7th – Police and Public Works Update •June 4th – Final kick-off!! •Opening Day / Ribbon Cutting June 6th – Finalizing program and timeline. •Continued work on activation partners and full schedule of events •Future Activation Explore all partner opportunities to activate Legacy Square and focus on the new arts and culture hub and the creative economy experience. Legacy Square Activation •Update to Council January 12, 2026 •Monthly Business Information Sessions First session held February 5th with the topic of Legacy Square Activation. •Upcoming Business Information Session •March 5th - Renton, Ready to Play brand kit and Visit Renton •April 2nd – Renton Market Update •May 7th – Police and Public Works Update •June 4th – Final kick-off!! •Opening Day / Ribbon Cutting June 6th – Finalizing program and timeline. •Continued work on activation partners and full schedule of events •Future Activation Explore all partner opportunities to activate Legacy Square and focus on the new arts and culture hub and the creative economy experience. Match Watch Party Events (subject to change) Thursday June 11 @ Noon Mexico vs. South Africa Friday June 12 @ 6 pm USA vs. Paraguay Saturday June 13 @ 3 pm Brazil vs. Morocco Sunday June 14 @ 1 pm Netherlands vs. Japan Thursday June 18 @ 6 pm Mexico vs. South Korea (Chamber Mixer) Friday June 19 @ 12 pm USA vs. Australia (Juneteenth) Saturday June 20 @ 1 pm Germany vs. Cote d’Ivoire Sunday June 21 @ Noon Belgium vs. Iran Thursday June 25 @ 7 pm USA vs. TBD (Pride match) Saturday June 27 @ 4:30 pm Columbia vs. Portugal Sunday June 28 @ Noon Round of 32 Friday July 10 @ Noon Quarter Final Game Saturday July 11 @ 2 pm Quarter Final Game Saturday July 18 @ 2 pm Third Place Game Sunday July 19 @ Noon FINAL! Activation Dates (subject to change) •Tuesdays June 2 through September 29 - Farmers Market Entertainment – Supported by the Renton Municipal Arts Commission •June 6 Opening Celebration •June 11 through July 19 – Watch Parties (15) •July 24 & 25 – River Nights •Friday Night Movie Series – August (6) •Saturday Night Concert Series - August •August 22 – Art & Wine Festival •September 19 – Harvest Festival/ Closing Event 51 City Events scheduled as to date Things still under construction…… •SOP Standard Operating Procedures for Legacy Square use and activation to include contracts, fees, and staffing resources. •Activation Partners Continued effort on connecting with interested partners for inclusion in activation events. •Safety / Transportation Continued conversations on final safety and transportation plan for Legacy Square and the downtown. •Marketing Working with our consultant team and our comms team to develop a marketing plan. •Other details….. Refuse, staffing for events, signage, lighting, restrooms, rules of the space and our contingency plans. ITEMS INTERNAL TEAMS DISCUSSING Visit Renton Renton Community Marketing Campaign Visit Renton - Renton Community Marketing Campaign – 2026 launch •Logo Positive Response to New Brand Identity •Branding Selected colors and themes rooted in Renton's character and natural beauty •Website Updated website launched February 2026 •Community Calendar Open platform for Renton event submissions Visitrenton.com New Website Highlights •Community Calendar Central hub for events, festivals, arts, and community happenings. •Dynamic Blog Fresh, story-driven content showcasing local businesses, culture, and seasonal experiences. •Curated Itineraries Ready-to-use guides for arts, dining, outdoor recreation, sports, and family fun. •Mobile App + Gamification Interactive digital passports, challenges, and rewards that drive exploration and support local businesses. Build Your Own Adventure •“Plan Your Own Trip” Widget (Desktop + Mobile App) Create a fully customized schedule by selecting events from the calendar, points of interest, and featured itineraries. •Smart Scheduling + Push Notifications Piece together your day, organize it in real time, and receive reminders and updates — so your adventure stays seamless and stress-free. •Gamification and Passport programs - Ability to create interactive digital passports (art walks, brewery tours and shop local challenges) to boost participation. Creative Economy Arts & Culture Master Plan •Community Engagement & Economic Impact – Building on past work to ensure projects reflect community interests and demonstrate value to the local economy. •Interdepartmental Team Approach – Investing in a collaborative team strategy to guide art initiatives. •Finalizing Plan – Plan will be presented to Council in 2026. •Next Steps – Outline implementation timeline, budget considerations, and key project milestones. Cultivating Renton’s Creative Economy Legacy Square the heart of our creative economy. •Square Art – Celebrating motion, movement & community •RFQ Selections for large scale mural and stage & ground floor installations •Event Coordinator has been charged to identify events that "elevate the arts in Renton" •2026 Staffing - will be pursuing an internship to support the activation and social media Elevating & Expanding Arts & Culture - Beyond the Square •Signature murals •Downtown banner updates •Explore new lighting Paint With Purpose Assisting businesses go from mess to mural. A Creative Alternative to Graffiti Abatement •3 projects completed in 2025 •Downtown •Benson Cascade •Highlands •Owner Cost Share and multi-year maintenance obligation •16 Local Artists participating in the program's roster (adding more artists regularly) Upcoming Opportunities Focus resources and efforts on: Legacy Square Phase 4 – Incubator / Art Gallery Celebrating Legacy Square as the Creative Economy in Action — from Design to Implementation Learning from 2026 Activation to Elevate Future Arts Programming Continued Support for Community Partners and the Renton Municipal Arts Commission •Implementation of the Arts & Culture Master Plan •Legacy Square Activation as an Arts & Culture Hub •Arts Integration and Support for City Events •Advancing the work of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission •Deepening Partnerships with Community Organizations 7th Annual Dragon's Landing event April 12 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wells Ave S •Street Fair Showcasing Public Art and Culture •Local performers, makers, and small businesses featured •Multi-week citywide engagement through contests and treasure hunts •Youth, businesses, and community groups participating •Open platform for creative and cultural involvement Property Acquisitions Property Acquisitions •Stoneway •Purchased December 2025 •99 Burnett •Entered PSA February 2026 •Due Diligence Period •Closing estimated in April 2026 •Compton •Eminent Domain approved November 2025 •In negotiations with new property owner •PSA will be brought to Council if accepted Acquisition Opportunities •Interest Rates With higher interest rates, city was positioned to be competitive on acquisitions. •Placemaking Setting the city and future generations up for legacy public spaces. •Building Confidence Public investment builds confidence in private development. •Changing Market Interest are coming down and the focus will be attracting the right type of developers and businesses. Business Recruitment & Retention Business Retention and Recruitment Quality of life, placemaking, reinvesting Dedicated, experienced, proactive business recruitment and retention staff "Grow Our Own" workforce Support the small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups Continued focus on our partnerships Our Philosophy Placemaking and reinvesting into the community – Public investment strengthens private sector confidence and investment Attract businesses and talent by investing in public spaces, parks, and vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, making the city a desirable place to live and work. Legacy Square: Reinvesting into the community, developing the Creative Economy,driving up visitors and foot traffic Civic Core Plan: Legacy Square, The Piazza, Renton Public Market,Festival Street, property acquisition pedestrian connectivity Targeted business recruitment:RFP for redevelopment of the downtown transit center. TOD overlay and redevelopment: Defining a clear vision Business Retention and Recruitment Our Philosophy in Action Develop a dedicated, experienced, proactive Economic Development staff Small Business Liaison Hiring a Business Recruitment and Retention Manager (will be posted and filled soon) Formed and trained - Economic Development Property Assessment Team - Connecting businesses of any size with proportional sites and location opportunities Develop multi-departmental teams charged with a common goal (Legacy Square as a great example) Business Retention and Recruitment Our Philosophy in Action Grow our own workforce Partnering with Renton Public Schools, RTC, Chamber to support Career and Technical Education via alignment with local industry needs. Create a sustainable talent pipeline that aligns with Renton's industries. Support local and regional career fairs and connecting with city internal workforce development team. Part of the regional Aerospace Community network. Support small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups Support through outreach, technical assistance, and resource connections Small Business Liaison Economic Development Property Evaluation Team Visit Renton – Tourism Development Business Retention and Recruitment Our Philosophy in Action Economic Development Continued collaborative efforts with Chamber and RDP for business support Monthly Startup425 Business meetings to build community and support Working relationships with The Landing and Southport – collaboratively submitted Site Selection proposals to Greater Seattle Partnership Workforce Development regional efforts and finding pathways to local jobs Evaluate what the future of retail will offer and determine best approach for recruitment Retention & Recruitment through Partnerships Thank you!