HomeMy WebLinkAbout010716_Mayor's RentonTransitCenter proposal
website: rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Embargoed until January 15, 2016
For more information contact:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
Mayor Law Proposes Relocating Renton Transit Center to Provide Accessible and
Integrated Public Transportation for Renton Residents and Businesses
Renton, WA: Mayor Denis Law, with support of the Renton City Council, is proposing relocating the
Renton Transit Center from downtown Renton to the for mer Sound Ford site at the corner of South
Grady Way and Rainier Avenue South, which has been on the market for many years.
“I have received positive support to explore my proposal from King County Executive Dow Constantine,
members of the Sound Transit Board and Washington State Department of Transportation,” said
Mayor Law. “The current location does not provide adequate public transportation services for Renton
residents; nor does it meet the needs of businesses and commuters in the valley area of the city. As
downtown redevelopment continues it will also pose challenges for buses to navigate. This new transit
vision will lead Renton into the next phase of our community’s growth, both in our downtown core and
at the new transit center location.”
As part of the proposal, Mayor Law cited benefits to METRO, Sound Transit and the City of Renton,
including:
Meeting the growing transit needs of businesses expanding in Renton such as Group Health,
Boeing and Providence Medical Center by utilizing and expanding on the South Renton Park and
Ride already in existence.
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Providing better access to transit services for residents in Fairwood and West Hill.
Utilizing the transit corridor of Rainier Avenue where Sound Transit has already invested in
improvements.
Expanding the full capacity METRO Park and Ride adjacent to this property to meet current and
future needs.
Easing congestion in downtown Renton and contributing to the revitalization of the downtown
Renton core. The potential conversions of one-way streets to two-way streets, currently being
studied as part of the downtown redevelopment plan, would likely create more difficulty for
transit buses maneuvering in downtown Renton.
The Transit Center at the new location would include a large public parking garage with easy access to
I-405 and SR 167 for commuter buses. The location and size, a total of 8.3 acres with easy access to
Rainier Avenue and South Grady Way is ideal for transit-oriented development (multi-family housing
and retail), which is a priority for King County officials. It will also facilitate future plans for Bus Rapid
Transit in the upcoming Sound Transit 3 initiative. The current transit center site would continue to be
a bus stop location to serve downtown destinations and local downtown residents, while the city-
owned garage will be utilized for local businesses and events.
The proposal also provides a funding mechanism for this project. There is $68 million earmarked in the
Sound Transit budget (the Sound Move initiative) for a Renton project to add a direct access ramp from
I-405 at N 8th that was conceived 20 years ago and no longer provides value to the community; funding
that could be redirected for the new location.
“This proposal provides significant benefits to the Renton community, Sou th King County and our
region, said Law. “It offers direct access to public transportation systems and enhanced services such
as easy connections to the Sounder Train station located in the southwest area of the city at SW 27th
St. for our growing employment base. It is my hope over the next few weeks to gain additional support
from members of the Sound Transit board.”
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