News from former Councilmember Randy Corman, your Renton City Hall insider. (All views expressed in journal entries are Randy Corman's personal views, and not the official position of the City of Renton or other city employees. Views expressed in reader comments are those of the commenter)

Daily archives for February 10th, 2025

Renton Jet Center invites 737 business jets, further increasing chance of runway/school clash

Feb10
2025 1 Comment Written by Randy Corman

The lower right corner of the new Vesper Aviation website shows it’s not business as usual for Proflight at Renton airport. “Largest Aircraft Handled Boeing 737” invites large business jet landings. When the total  landings and takeoffs (including Boeing deliveries) exceeds five hundred in a year, the runway will likely need to be extended through Renton High School.

 

I’ve previously reported that Proflight Aviation, which was primarily a locally-run flight school and propeller aircraft hangar facility, was purchased and turned into a jet center without public awareness or input.   Then last week I explained how the airplanes proposed for hangaring in the new jet center could likely trip our airport runway into a larger classification, forcing an expansion right through Renton High School.

Now, a newly-updated Vesper Aviation website for the facility is inviting Boeing 737  business jet fly-ins.  It’s as if they want Renton to expand our airport…. and who knows, maybe they do.

READ MORE »

1 Comment Posted in Airport

Coal mine tunnels at asphalt plant would further increase risk to Renton’s drinking water

Feb10
2025 5 Comments Written by Randy Corman

Tom and Ed Jones at their new Coal Mine in 1925, on the property now proposed as an Asphalt Plant. Abandoned tunnels will provide a shortcut for “forever” toxins from asphalt production to reach every layer of Renton’s drinking water aquifer. (Photo courtesy of Renton Historical Society)

 

Question: What is the one thing that would make it even more dangerous for an  asphalt plant to inject toxic runoff into the ground on Renton’s sole source aquifer?

Answer:  Man-made tunnels at the site to carry poison through every clay and sedimentary layer, so that no well is deep enough to be safe.

These 100-year-old photos were taken on the property that is now owned by Lakeside Industries, and proposed for the asphalt plant.  The Coal Mine shown was alternatively known as the Jones Brother’s Mine, the Indian Coal Mine, and the New Black Diamond Coal Mine.  (The “New Black Diamond” name reflects that it replaced what may have been the deepest coal mine in the world in Black Diamond.)

Perhaps the reason the ground percolated so well during the “infiltration test” at the proposed Asphalt Plant site is the miles of mining tunnels that descend from the property.  We may unfortunately never know, as no Environmental Impact Statement was required for locating an asphalt plant here.

READ MORE »

5 Comments Posted in Aquifer, Public Works, Water Quality

About the author

Hi, I’m Randy Corman. Welcome to my blog!  I served on Renton City Council for 28 years, 1994-2021, with six years as Renton Council President.  I’m also a mechanical engineer and manager, and worked for the Boeing Company for 33 years, from 1984- 2017.  My wife and I have five kids and six grandkids, and we all live in Renton.  I’ve kept this blog for 19 years, and get thousands of readers each month. Please share your feedback, ideas, and opinions in the comments.

Subscribe for updates

Enter your email below to receive notice of new blog entries

Please Comment!

Your comments are very appreciated and they add value to this blog.  You may comment anonymously by leaving your name and email out of the comment form (there is no sign-in required).   Please keep your comments civil and respectful; policy discussions are encouraged but avoid personal attacks.  No threats of violence against anyone, or inciting violence in any form.  No racist, sexist, or hateful comments of any kind. Be truthful. Do not make allegations of criminal, unethical, or other personal wrongdoing that you do not have proof to back up.  Avoid profane, obscene, vulgar, lewd, discriminatory, or sexually-oriented language.  Honest, respectful, good-faith discussion of public officials’ actions and their results are protected speech. Private persons deserve more discretion, so avoid any unfair criticism of them.

Recent Posts

Calendar

February 2025
M T W T F S S
« May   Mar »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728  

Meta

Back to Top