CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON

The City of Renton purchased the property in 2001 with the intent siting a fire station to meet the growing demand on services in the area. The purchase of this specific property was the result of a strategic search and due diligence.

The characteristics of the site also meet the specific needs for a reservoir in Pressure Zone 320 on the west side of I-405. The proximity of the site to the 320 zone and site elevation provide a unique opportunity. Co-locating a reservoir on this site is a cost-effective use of city funds, versus purchasing or condemning a separate site in the neighborhood. Cost savings from co-location include site work, street improvements, landscaping, storm water retention and permitting.

There are several drivers behind the siting of a reservoir, including current system performance, seismic resiliency, and water supply for existing customers a growing community.

• There is no dedicated water storage facility in 320 Pressure Zone.
• The lack of gravity-fed water storage from a dedicated reservoir in the zone can result in “water hammer” or large spikes in water pressure. This can cause damage to infrastructure over time, raising operating costs. The reservoir will provide pressure surge control for the water system in the area.
• Two water mains that feed into the current 320 Pressure Zone area convey water from reservoirs located in the Highlands. Both mains cross I-405, with sharp vertical bends under the corridor, and are at risk of failure in the case of a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake. With no reservoirs in the area, Kennydale is vulnerable in an emergency situation.
• The 320 Pressure Zone currently serves many customers, including approximately 926 single family units, 1700 multifamily units, 44 commercial, 20 industrial, 40 irrigation, 61 fire protection service and nine city connections.
• Beyond Kennydale, the zone serves an area north of downtown that has experienced significant development over the past decade, including the Boeing Company Renton Production Facility, PACCAR/Kenworth Truck Renton Assembly Plant, The Landing and South Port developments, Virginia Mason Athletic Center (Seahawks), and Stoneway Concrete batch plant. This area is expected to develop further as the city and region continue to grow, placing more demand on the system.

The reservoir will have a diameter of 50 feet and an overall height of 103 feet in order to deliver water at adequate system pressure (minimum 30 psi at the highest elevation home and 20 psi for fire suppression). The total storage capacity is 1.3 million gallons.

The City of Renton has owned this property since 2001 and funds for the construction of Fire Station 15 were committed as a result of the establishment of the Renton Regional Fire Authority in April 2016. The city’s water system plan first identified the need for a reservoir west of I-405 in 1983. Growth over the past 30 years has created challenges for efficient operation of the water system.

The co-siting of the reservoir and the fire station is driven by this longstanding need, the opportunity presented by the construction of a new fire station, and the cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars.

How many fire trucks will be housed?

The RRFA is currently evaluating its overall system needs and is considering a two-bay design for Fire Station 15.

What is the service area?

Fire Station 15 will serve the Kennydale neighborhood west and east of I-405, as well as points south based on accessibility from I-405.

How many calls would this fire station respond to annually?

Based on 2016 data, this station would respond to approximately 1000 calls annually.

The April 2016 vote on the Renton Regional Fire Authority (RRFA) included the Fire Station 15 project, so funding for the fire station is already accounted for in current property taxes. A total of $1.62 per $1,000 in assessed value goes to fire services, with $1.00 to RRFA and $0.62 to the City of Renton for this fire station.

The reservoir project will be funded from current utility rates. The City of Renton has committed to maintain current utility rates through 2017/2018, so no increases in rates are anticipated due to this project’s cost.

While the benefits provided by these facilities are welcome, the city and RRFA recognize that there will be short-term impacts to immediate neighbors from project construction, as well as impacts from operations.

The city is committed to working with the community on specific elements of the design, including aesthetic treatments to the reservoir exterior and landscaping that can minimize visual impacts. The city will also work closely with neighbors throughout the project, from design through construction, to provide timely updates and address questions or concerns.