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HomeMy WebLinkAbout43_Mayors Newsletter_062917JUNE 29, 2017 This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor VOL. II, NO. 20 Feedback Comments, questions or suggestions, or just want to share all the great things that are happening in the city, please email me. Thanks for reading. City wins sixth straight Smart Communities Award We received exciting news last week at the Association of Washington Cities meeting: Renton has again won a Governor’s Smart Communities Award. This is the sixth consecutive year we’ve captured this prestigious honor. This year we won for our Galvanizing Art Projects program, a unique partnership between the city and the Renton Municipal Arts Commission (RMAC). The RMAC received $10,000 from the city’s general fund and is using the money to commission a broad spectrum of local artists to create public art that reflects Renton’s heritage. You’ve undoubtedly seen some of the projects funded by the RMAC. The Muybridge project on the Williams Avenue Bridge is a tribute to Renton’s horse racing past at Longacres. If you drive across the bridge at the correct speed, the horses run with you. Two others are the art garden on the east entrance to the downtown post office and the mural on the west side of the Cortona Building downtown. There are more to come. As city budgets are invariably squeezed, one of the first things to be eliminated is public art. Our Galvanizing Art Projects program has helped fill the gap and along the way assisted the city in increasing private investments, attracted tourists to the city, and added to our cultural experiences. My congratulations to our Community and Economic Development staff who worked so hard on the project and to the dedicated members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission who volunteered their time and expertise. Well done by all! Governor’s Smart Communities Award The Governor’s Smart Communities Award recognizes achievements by local leaders who promote smart growth planning and projects that contribute to thriving communities, a prosperous economy and sustainable infrastructure in Washington State. The award has been given annually since 2006. Renton has now won one in each of the past six years: 2017 – Galvanizing Art Projects program 2016 – Downtown Renton Library remodel 2015 – Kirkland Avenue Townhomes Project 2014 – Meadow Crest Early Learning Center and Meadow Crest Accessible Playground 2013 – Sunset Area Community Plan 2012 – City center community plan and its 20-year parks plan Neighborhoods win national awards Two Renton neighborhoods were recognized at Monday’s City Council meeting for placing high in the Neighborhoods USA competition. The LaCrosse Homeowners Association placed second in the Physical Revitalization and Beautification category with their community garden and beehive project. Congratulations to Dan and Janet Hill and Chris and Priscilla Fitzgerald, who led the project. The Kennydale Community Association captured third place in the Neighborhood Newsletter category. Congratulations to Darius and Vicki Richards and Rajendra and Subhashni Agrawaal, and Stephanie Fife. We are fortunate to have over 80 neighborhoods registered with the city’s neighborhood programs. That two of our membership captured national awards is reflective of the amount of time, effort, and inspiration each group puts into their neighborhoods. We thank all our neighborhoods for making Renton a great place to live, work, learn, and play. Kennydale neighborhood members Rajendra & Subhashni Agrawaal, Stephanie Fife, and Vicki & Darius Richards are joined by Carrie Nass, the city’s Neighborhoods Resources and Events Manager. LaCrosse Homeowners Association members Chris & Priscilla Fitzgerald and Janet & Dan Hill and Carrie Nass. Williams Street Bridge Deborah Needham receives her Advocacy All-Star Award from Dave Williams, Government Relations Director for Association of Washington Cities. To Deborah Needham, our Emergency Management Director, who was named an Advocacy All-Star by the Association of Washington Cities. The award was in appreciation of her “steadfast work on legislation that helps non-English language residents respond to emergencies.” Congratulations, Deb! Congratulations