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 March 13th, 2025

Beautiful $11,500,000 Renton High Science Center, completed last year, to be demolished

Mar13
2025 5 Comments Written by Randy Corman

The top floor of the Science building in Renton High was remodeled in 2024 at a cost of 11.5 million dollars, and is now scheduled to be torn down as part of Renton High School replacement

Renton School District just used taxpayer bond proceeds that we approved in 2019 to complete a $11,500,000 upgrade in the science building of Renton High School.  The School Board is now making plans to tear this building down.

There are about 1,300 students at Renton High, attending for four years.  So during the approximately four years this Science Center will have a chance to be used, it will have cost about $8,800 per student to make this upgrade (11.5 million/1300 students).  Along with other pictures below, I’ve included a photo of the “before” condition of the science classrooms; they were remodeled in 2000 and certainly still look serviceable.

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5 Comments Posted in School District, Taxes

Upcoming “Missing Middle” zoning changes complicate School District property acquisition

Mar13
2025 Leave a Comment Written by Randy Corman

By state law, Renton has to complete a city-wide rezone by June 30th to include duplex, 4-plex, and 6-plex options in many single family zones. The closer the property is to transit and the city core, the greater the potential density.

 

As described in my previous post, Renton School District is actively pursuing property adjacent to Renton High School to relocate their baseball facility (at a possible cost of 100 million dollars).  The targeted property owners describe the School District’s agents like bill collectors– phoning them at all hours, knocking on their doors, and mailing them urgent and frightening messages.  The District hopes to complete their acquisitions soon, in April.

While some property owners have capitulated under the pressure and accepted a District offer, other property owners say they are being low-balled, and have vowed not to go down without a fight.   These fighting-residents are seeking appraisals to counter what some describe as dismal or even predatory offers from the district.

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Leave a Comment Posted in Missing Middle Housing, School District, Taxes

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.

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