Last updated: April 15, 2024
Streetscape work substantially complete. Project close-out and final cleanup underway.
Click the image for project brochure/FAQs
Project Overview
The City of Renton started improving the streets and sidewalks of downtown blocks in 2017 in conjunction with several key initiatives. These public rights-of-way improvements, collectively known as “streetscapes,” help improve the appearance and safety of sidewalk and street areas and provide a more vibrant pedestrian experience.
Several street intersection projects over the past several years have installed streetscape improvements at 2nd, 3rd, and Houser and Main, Wells and Williams, as well as along the 200 block of Wells. Next in line is the 200 block of Williams Ave S (between 2nd and 3rd), which will receive streetscape improvements like those completed on Wells Avenue in 2021.
The project will include the following elements:
- Replacement of all sidewalks and driveway aprons
- Removal of twelve (12) existing street trees and replacement with thirteen (13) that will add seasonal variety along the block
- Replanting of six (6) street trees on nearby streets
- Installation of new litter receptacles, tree grates, and landscape strips with decorative fencing
- Removal of 6 existing tall streetlights and replacement with 12 pedestrian-scale streetlights outfitted with street banners, flower baskets, irrigation for baskets, and holiday lighting
- Repaving and restriping of the street’s driving and parking lanes
Project management is being provided by the City’s Development Engineering Division, with assistance from the Economic Development Division. In August 2023, Renton City Council awarded the construction contract to Active Construction, Inc. Construction started in October 2023. This project was funded by the King County Consortium Community Development Block Grant Program (CAG-22-216).
Schedule Milestones
- July 20/July 24: Bid closing/opening
- August 14: Council Finance Committee and City Council approval of winning bidder
- October 16, 2023: Construction starts
- November 13, 2023: Construction suspended for four weeks
- December 11, 2023: Construction re-starts
- April 2024: Substantial construction completion & project closeout
Project Look-Ahead Schedule
Starting the week of April 15, 2024:
- Project close-out begins. In the coming weeks, minor construction activities will occur which include the final landscape strip planting and addressing of any punch-list items or fixes that are identified during final inspection.
- Final cleanup of the street and any areas that were affected like parking lots and offsite planting areas.
- Note
- The location of one streetlight not installed on the east side of Williams near S. 3rd Street is awaiting the installation of a new public artwork. The artwork is anticipated to be installed within the next month or so.
Project Status
- In August 2023, Renton City Council awarded the construction contract to Active Construction Inc. (“Active”). The City and Active subsequently entered into a contract.
- Construction began October 16, 2023, beginning with the west side of the block.
- During the construction period, work completed includes:
- Removal of existing street trees and replacement with new ones, addition of landscaping and decorative fencing at the base of several new street trees, and replanting of six (6) existing street trees on nearby streets.
- Repaving and striping of the street’s driving and parking lanes.
- Replacement of streetlights with new decorative pedestrian level ones outfitted with flower basket arms and irrigation and street banner arms.
- Removal and replacement of litter receptacles with new ones outfitted with dome lids.
Communication
Questions and concerns about the project prior to the start and during construction should be provided via email or telephone to the project contact listed on this page. Property and businesses owners adjacent to the project construction zone will receive weekly e-blasts with project progress updates and expectations for the upcoming week.
The City’s project team has previewed the project with all the businesses within the project zone and will be sharing project information for businesses throughout Downtown Renton leading up to start of construction in October 2023. The project team is working closely with business owners to ensure timely information is being shared, access is maintained during construction, and concerns addressed in a timely manner.
Businesses and the general public will be kept updated through numerous social media channels, including those managed by important community partners like the Renton Downtown Partnership.
This project webpage will provide up to date information on project progress and impacts. For more questions, visit the FAQs section on the project brochure.
Title VI
The City of Renton hereby gives public notice that it is the City’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Federal Aid Highway program or other activity for which the City of Renton receives federal financial assistance.
Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with the City of Renton. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with the City of Renton, Human Resources Dept. within one hundred eighty (180) days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained