HomeMy WebLinkAbout21_Mayors Newsletter_120816DECEMBER 8, 2016
This Week
from the Mayor
Denis Law, Mayor
VOL. 1, NO. 21
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GRIOT GALLERY TO OPEN IN 2017
The newly renovated Cortona
Building has a second tenant. Arts
Unlimited of Renton will open Griot
Gallery in 2017. Griot will integrate
an art gallery with a retail space for
artwork, along with a classroom for
art workshops and demonstrations.
The Cortona Building, at South
Third Street and Williams Avenue,
originally housed Woolworth’s
in 1954 and has undergone a
complete renovation. Its’ first
tenant, Urban Sprouts, opened in
September.
DID YOU KNOW?
Slate Clothing Store opens in The
Landing
Last week Slate Clothing Store in The Landing had their official
ribbon-cutting and opened to the public. Slate Clothing is
located at 827 N. 10th Place and is open Monday-Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 6 p.m. Welcome
to Renton!
While the threats of snow may have caused some to
start scrambling, our Transportation Department’s
Maintenance Division was ready. In fact, their winter
preparations were actually completed in early
October. They had repaired and tested their fleet of
10 plows, nine sanders, and three anti-icing trucks
and ordered 250 tons of road salt, 1,000 tons of
sand and 9,000 gallons of de-icer. Our drivers have
traveled the routes to identify hazards that might be
obscured by snow and have loaded their trucks with
needed equipment. During snow and ice events,
our sanders and plows are first dispatched to keep
major arterials open.
Another area city staff keeps close watch on is our homeless population. The Human Services Division
partnered with the Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH) to open a cold weather shelter
at the Old Chamber building. The shelter was open earlier this week and will also be open tonight. The
shelter was available for all who were living on the streets or in vehicles. We’re grateful for REACH’s
involvement in providing this vital service. For information
please contact our Human Services office at 425-430-6600.
Our Emergency Management staff has provided some helpful
winter weather tips for you, your home and your vehicle in the
Winter edition of Renton CityNews.
Snow and cold weather coming? City staff prepared
Elevated view from Liberty Park
When the state legislature convenes
in January, we will be ready with
a comprehensive list of priorities
designed to provide benefits to the
city. Our main focus is to address
and fund critical needs in public
safety, enhance the quality of life in
our community, invest in transportation and emphasize financial stability
Topping our list is a request for $3.05 million grant from the state for Phases II and III of the Sunset
Neighborhood Park. This 3.2-acre park is the catalyst for transforming the neighborhood, which
includes several exciting projects: market-rate and low-income housing, retail stores and a new library.
The park will include a teen/adult fitness area, children’s play areas, water features, picnic areas, pergola
with seating and art. It will serve over 6,000 people daily and improve health, provide environmental
benefits and unite the community. We have briefed our legislators on the plan and Speaker of the
House of Representatives Frank Chopp recently visited the area to see the progress first-hand.
With several vacant positions in the police department, we would like the state to dedicate an
additional $2.4 million to address a severe backlog at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Funding
of transportation projects is another priority and we advocate only using money saved from I-405
construction on projects within the I-405 service corridor. We would like the state to create peak-use
shoulder lanes between State Routes 167 and 169, improve two freeway bridge structures, and
construct a multi-modal direct-access entrance onto I-405 from 44th Street.
These are just a few of our priorities. The entire legislative agenda will be available on our website.
City Council adopts
Renton’s 2017
legislative agenda
Artist’s rendering of the new Sunset Neighborhood Park