HomeMy WebLinkAbout030613_State of City press releasePage 1 of 4
website: rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
March 6, 2013
For more information contact:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator 425-430-6569
Renton Mayor Denis Law Delivers 2013 State of the City Address
“Our foundation is strong. Our commitment to excellence is unwavering.”
RENTON: Renton Mayor Denis Law delivered his 2013 State of the City address today before a packed
audience at a luncheon organized by the Renton Chamber of Commerce. The State of the City address
emphasized how the city has focused on more efficient ways of doing business, while maintaining the
quality of our city – protecting the public and maintaining parks and trails, our roadways, and needed
utilities.
“The past several years have had a similar theme – finding new ways to provide city services with less
revenue and fewer people,” said Mayor Law. “At City Hall, our employees stepped up to the challenges
and today, I want to brag a little about what we have accomplished as a city despite significantly
reduced resources.”
The mayor stated that during the past five years, Renton’s population has grown 67% from 56,000 to
nearly 94,000 and, despite a 15% reduction in the city’s workforce, the quality and range of services
the city provides has remained unmatched.
“We’ve been able to make great progress in identifying new efficiencies to improve productivity,
primarily due to employees committed to finding better ways to serve the public,” said Law.
He highlighted his priorities to cultivate a workplace culture that supports these ideals and the city’s
commitment to the public. A workplace where:
The management team provides the vision, leadership, training and support necessar y to
motivate staff at every level.
Employees are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to developing new and creative
ways of conducting business.
There is a strong culture of effectively solving issues for citizens.
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The mayor highlighted several accomplishments and priorities:
Planning, Infrastructure and Investment
The city has received nearly $85 million in grants for infrastructure and investments for roads,
utilities, parks and trails, public safety, and maintenance.
City Center Community Plan, and the city’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Areas Plan that
earned the governor’s Smart Vision Award.
First comprehensive recycling program in this region and have diverted nearly 25,000 tons of
recyclable material from the landfill.
Significant capital projects including Rainier Avenue improvements, Strander Boulevard
Connection, nearly $25 million in utility system improvements, improvements to Renton
Municipal Airport totaling $1.1 million in capital and $10 million in grants, and development of
Heritage Park.
Renton Municipal Airport is undergoing the most extensive infrast ructure improvements since
1950.
Public Safety
The city’s police officers and firefighters have continued to provide great service for Renton
residents and the business community.
Created unique ordinances that allow officers to ban offenders from parks and the transit
center in addition to increasing surveillance and police patrols.
Addressed safety issues in our parks and trails by reducing speed limits; adding striping,
signage, and educational brochures; and by instituting a volunteer park ranger program.
The Council adopted a new ordinance to deal with property owners and landlords where illegal
activity continues to occur.
In light of the recent massacre in a school in Connecticut, the city is working closely with the
Renton School District to find effective ways to improve safety for our children.
The Renton Police department will soon launch an Adopt-A School program designed to foster
and strengthen the relationships between schools and police officers.
Since 2005, as part of Renton Heart Month, the city’s firefighters have checked the blood
pressure and blood sugar levels of 45,000 individuals, providing early detection warning to
6,400 people that were at risk of high blood pressure and 2,000 people with hyperglycemia or
excess glucose in the blood.
Partnerships
Strong partnership with The Boeing Company continues—they plan to produce over 42
airplanes a month and hire 600 to 800 people this year.
Working with the Aerospace Futures Alliance, Renton Technical College and other partners to
establish the Central Sound Aerospace Training Center at the Renton Municipal Airport. This
$12.5 million training center will provide hundreds of people with the skills they need to work
in the aerospace industry.
Enjoyed a tremendous season with the Seahawks—over a thousand fans gathered at City Hall
to support the team as they headed for the play-offs. In addition Seahawks training camp
brought 20,000 visitors to Renton.
With the Renton Housing Authority, the Renton School District, King County Library System, and
Colpitts Development, achieved major milestones in the Sunset area. Completed construction
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of the Glenwood Townhomes, working on Kirkland Avenue Townhomes, and plans are
underway for a new library.
With the Renton School District and the financial contributions of several businesses, service
organizations and private donors, will soon complete an accessible playground at the new
Meadow Crest Early Learning Center in the Highlan ds.
In collaboration with Puget Sound Access, Carco Theatre will expand services to the public and
provide several enhancements and state-of-the art multi-media services.
In partnership with the Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches, providing a day shelter for
homeless women and children at City hall
An All-Inclusive City
Created a network of community leaders representing the diversity of our city; these
community liaisons provide a vital link between community groups and the city .
Emergency preparedness training with over 1000 preparedness videos distributed to various
non-English members of our community.
Free summer lunch programs to children from minority groups; various cultural exhibits at
Renton Museum.
Community forums on various topics including crime prevention, emergency preparedness, and
public sector careers.
Appointed members from community liaisons to serve on key citizen task forces for t he city.
Economic Development and Quality of Life
New businesses continue to open at The Landing and the high-end apartment complexes there
have more than 90% occupancy.
Investments continue in downtown Renton despite losing some businesses – the Berliner Pub
and Marianna’s are two new restaurants that have opened recently.
Large-scale development opportunities are under discussion for Southport and Port Quendall.
Neighborhood program now serves 70 neighborhoods and provides a critical link between the
city and thousands of residents.
Record attendance at Farmers Market and festivals including IKEA Renton River Days, 4 th of
July, Return to Renton Car Show, Clam Lights, Octoberfest, and the Seattle International Film
Festival.
“Our local economy is on the rebound,” said Law. “Renton is positioned well to take advantage of
these new opportunities.”
“The state of Renton is very good,” said Law. “Our foundation is strong. Our commitment to
excellence is unwavering. Our future is bright.”
The Mayor’s address will be broadcast on Renton’s TV channel 21 and video-streamed on
rentonwa.gov. Check http://rentonwa.gov/news/default.aspx?id=5460 for the broadcast schedule. To
read the Mayor’s State of the City message, please visit rentonwa.gov.
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