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Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | Vol. IX | Issue 51
Note: This is the last This Week in Renton of 2024
During the last council meeting of the year, Renton City Council unanimously adopted the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, which sets the goals and policies for growth and development over the next twenty years (2025-2044). This plan guides decision-making on various important topics, including housing, land use, parks, economic growth, and transportation.
The initiative began in 2022 with several engagement and public participation opportunities. The public participation plan involved over 15 meetings with the Planning Commission, 16 sessions with the Planning & Development Committee, several public events like the Renton Farmers Market, working directly with Renton School District students, newsletter and social media publications, and gathering feedback from more than 1,000 survey respondents.
The plan focuses on Renton residents' needs while ensuring the city complies with state requirements and county policies and plans for future growth.
Residents expressed concerns regarding affordable housing and housing options accommodating for all incomes, transportation network congestion, and desire for safer pedestrian and bicycle routes. Residents made clear that the plan should encompass the needs of all residents, not just businesses and families. Overall, residents showed a positive sentiment towards living in Renton, desiring environmental protection and expressing concerns about climate change, particularly among younger demographics.
While the city cannot prevent growth, we can plan and prepare for what is forecasted, which includes 17,000 new households and 31,780 new jobs in Renton.
Learn more and review the final plan on the city's website. The state will finalize approval of the plan from their end early next year.
Registration for Let’s Go Renton! Recreation Guide winter edition now available
2025 is coming fast and so is Renton Parks and Recreation's new Let's Go Renton! Guide. Residents are able to register now for all classes and courses from January through April.
The guide provides an opportunity for everyone in the community to stay active, learn new skills, and find your sense of community.
After the holidays and in the midst of winter, it can be a challenge to stay engaged. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has the answer.
Consider activities such as ice skating, walking and hiking tours, or pee wee soccer. Looking for an indoor activity? Consider indoor play gym for toddlers, gardening or cookbook club for adults, and ceramics for all ages.
Want to get involved in your community? There are a variety of volunteer opportunities and public events such as Arbor Earth Day and Renton’s Festival of Color in partnership with Voice of Planet.
Want to gift the opportunity for recreation to residents? Learn about Recreation Scholarships and contribute to covering course fees for Renton residents of all ages.
View the full guide on our website. Registration is available online. Beginning Monday, December 23, physical copies can be picked up at Renton Community Center, Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, North Highlands Neighborhood Center, and Renton City Hall.
Want to be more knowledgeable on the civic process? Apply for Renton’s new Civic Academy
The City of Renton has launched its first Civic Academy. The Civic Academy is a learning series for residents to get an inside look into how the City of Renton functions.
Participants will learn about the city’s decision-making process and deepen their understanding of the different department responsibilities.
City leadership and staff will lead tours of city facilities, address participant questions, and facilitate hands-on activities that provide participants with a glimpse into the city’s day to day operations. With participants’ expanded insight of Renton, graduates can help empower their community by using their voices.
The Civic Academy is a free program, open to all Renton residents and businessowners 18 years and older.
The academy is a five-week course beginning February 13 through March 20. Participants will meet every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at various locations. There will be no session on February 20 during Renton School District’s mid-winter break.
Applications will be available on the Your Voice Renton page this Friday, December 20. The application will be open through January 20. Interested participants are encouraged to apply early as seats are limited.
The Renton Civic Academy is wonderful way to get involved and help empower your community.
For additional information check out the Your Voice Renton page.
Republic Services upcoming holiday collection shifts
During the upcoming holidays, Republic Services will not be collecting garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste on the following days:
- Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25)
- New Years Day (Wednesday, January 1)
Regular collection is planned for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
Collection days for impacted customers will run one day later than usual for garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste pick ups:
- Wednesday customers’ collection day will be on Thursday
- Thursday customers’ collection day will be on Friday
- Friday customers’ collection day will be on Saturday
Reminder, Republic Services will pick up unlimited organic material at no extra charge. This applies to Renton customers within city limits on your normal organic collection day.
Visit Republic Services’ website to view their service guide, collection map, calendar, and more.
A journey through Renton's stormwater solutions
King County and the city's Public Works Department's Utility Division recently partnered to invite ethnic media publications in the region to an insightful tour of Renton's stormwater management projects.
Did you know that 80% of pollutants in our waters originate from stormwater runoff? With such a significant impact on our environment and residents, understanding stormwater management is crucial for the well-being of our community, protecting our homes from flooding, and preserving the quality of our air.
The main goal of this tour was to foster relationships with ethnic media outlets and provide education on the importance of stormwater management. Participants gained an introduction to stormwater issues, pollution prevention actions, community benefits, and the connections between these critical elements.
During the tour, the group of 15+ broadcasters and journalists were led by Renton city staff and King County experts to explore four key locations and projects in Renton dedicated to effective stormwater management, including:
- Cedar River Watershed: Prioritizing the safety of our salmon population and addressing toxic chemicals from tires entering streams via stormwater runoff. King County is still researching and understanding how to prevent this toxin from entering our streams, but the one thing residents can do is ensure their tires are inflated. Learn more about the 'Don't wait to inflate' campaign from Puget Sound Starts Here.
- Monroe Avenue NE Infiltration Facility: As the largest infiltration facility in Washington State, this project treats runoff for 245 acres to protect the Cedar River from pollutants. In addition, it reduces flooding in crucial and vulnerable areas in the Renton Highlands neighborhood.
- Sunset Terrace Regional Stormwater Facility: This facility features regional stormwater facilities, such as rain gardens and infiltration galleries, that filter pollutants from stormwater and reduce flood risks. This project was part of the larger Sunset Area Redevelopment, including the library, Sunset Neighborhood Park, and several housing options.
These project sites serve as crucial infrastructures that manage and mitigate risks associated with stormwater runoff, playing a vital role in protecting our environment and community.
For more information on Renton's efforts in stormwater management, please visit the city’s website.
Ring in the New Year with the Polar Bear Double Dip
Celebrate the beginning of a new year with Renton Parks and Recreation’s Polar Bear Double Dip, Wednesday, January 1, 2025! This event is great for toe-dippers or those wanting to make a full-on splash into the chilly winter waters.
This year, there are two locations to dip at:
- At 10 a.m., take a dip in Lake Washington from Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park’s swimming beach.
- At 12 p.m. take a dip in Henry Moses Aquatic Center’s wave pool.
The event is free, but registration is required. Chowder, coffee, and cocoa will be available at both locations.
Battle of the Badges: Holiday Lights winners announced
This past weekend was Renton Police Department’s (RPD) 2024 Battle of the Badges: Holiday Lights where 30 regional public safety agencies competed for the best decorated holiday displays. During the evening, over 2,000 attendees from across the Puget Sound walked from display-to-display enjoying lights, festive attires, sweet treats, and engaging experiences. Votes were cast in person and the results were announced by RPD Monday. Congratulations again to the following winners.
- 1st Place (The BIG Trophy): South Correctional Entity, #11 – A Hogwarts Holiday
- Clark Griswold Award: Issaquah Police Department, #3 – A Harry Potter Holiday
- Festive Innovation: Renton Regional Fire Authority #31 – Elf Academy
In addition, the event collected 986 lbs. of food and $419.11 in donations that will go toward local Renton food banks.
We hope to see you back next year! You can view photos from the event on the city’s Flickr page at rentonwa.gov/flickr.