HomeMy WebLinkAbout12_Mayors Newsletter_093016SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
This Week
from the Mayor
Denis Law, Mayor
VOL. 1, NO. 12
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If you have comments, questions or suggestions, or just want to
share all the great things that are happening in the city, please
e-mail me. Thanks for reading.
DID YOU KNOW?2017-18 budget presented to city
council on Monday
Monday evening, I will
present the city’s 2017-2018
budget to city council.
The budget represents
our fiscal roadmap for the
next two years and is the
result of months of intense,
collaborative work by city
staff, civic groups and
citizens. I’d like to extend my
thanks to all and especially
recognize the work of our
Citizen’s Budget Advisory
Committee. They spent many
evening hours working with
city staff prioritizing budget
items. Thank you for your
time and thank you for your commitment to the city.
Downtown revitalization moves a step closer as King County
commits to relocating transit center
Downtown revitalization
has been a priority
for the city for many
years and over the past
couple of years we
have made tremendous
progress. Every city
department is engaged
and participating in our
commitment to create a
safe, pedestrian-oriented
and vibrant downtown
that will attract new
businesses, shopping,
dining, entertainment and
activities. Our efforts are paying off and our vision for downtown revitalization is being realized.
On Monday, my staff updated our strategy to the City Council Committee of the Whole. We’re moving
forward with the plan’s key component: relocating the transit center to the corner of Rainier Avenue
South and South Grady Way (the old Sound Ford property). Non-commuter bus routes that provide
direct access to the Downtown Business District and Civic Core will remain downtown.
We received written commitment from King County Executive Dow Constantine to set a firm date to
make this transition while continuing efforts to get the new transit center built.
“I support the City of Renton’s plans for revitalizing its downtown, including relocating its transit center,
while maintaining bus service to the downtown core,” said Executive Constantine. “I am committed to
improving transit service to Renton, and will work with city staff to transition the bus transfer activity
from the downtown center to the Grady Way Park and Ride facility, consistent with Metro Connects. I
will also continue to work with the King County Council and the Sound Transit Board on developing the
new proposed transit center and parking garage at Rainier and Grady Way.”
Moving the transit center is vital to get better overall transit services to Renton. It is our intention to
close the downtown transit center by the end of 2017 and I look forward to working with King County to
make this a reality.
As part of the presentation, city staff provided the City Council with an update of progress made in
several areas, including business recruitment, new developments, strategic public investments and
public safety, several of which we have spotlighted in previous newsletters. I invite you to take another
look at our accomplishments.
FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND
I hope you’ll join me and
your fellow Rentonites
tonight and Saturday at
Renton’s Multicultural
Festival. It promises to
be two days full of great
entertainment, fun and, of
course, food. I’m looking
forward to the events and
hope you can join us.