Written by I think this is a well-written editorial. The only thing I would add is that Denis Law does not claim to have all the answers to our growing pains…. but he has overwhelmingly demonstrated the skills to lead the community in the productive dialogue necessary to find these answers.
As an aside, I’m proud of the fact that the article points out that Renton’s Economic renaissance has occured over approximately the last fifteen years– these are the years I campaigned-for, and then served as a Renton Councilman (I was first elected in 1993). It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this great turn-around.
Southeast Opinion
Growing pains focus of Renton campaigns
By Ryan Blethen
Seattle Times editorial columnist
COURTNEY BLETHEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Growth has brought new commerce to the city, including this new Target store located at The Landing.
Renton’s transformation from blue-collar Boeing town to one of the most dynamic cities in King County has been well-documented.
It started in the 1990s when city leaders streamlined the process for business permitting. This business-friendly approach helped land Ikea, and has continued with the Federal Reserve Bank moving its Seattle branch to Renton, near the long-gone Longacres racetrack.
Ikea and the Federal Reserve are by no means bookends to Renton’s story. The city has become a hot commodity. But behind the flurry of economic development are some serious questions about how Renton has grown, and what’s the next direction for the city that straddles the Eastside and South King County.
Questions about the side effects of economic and population growth have surfaced in the campaigns for mayor and City Council.
All the candidates seem to agree that the economic development of the past 15 years has been beneficial, and a testament to Renton’s elected officials and business community.
The candidates are right. Renton’s remarkable climb from a single-industry town to a diverse hub of business and retail did not happen by itself. What is happening now is the result of years of planning and dogged determination.
Any city, including Renton, that has seen such a transformation is bound to have growing pains. This has been reflected in the campaigns.
All the candidates have talked about Renton’s neighborhoods. They talk of public safety and infrastructure. Not that these have not been issues in elections past, but years of focusing on downtown and economic development can give the impression that neighborhoods were an afterthought.
New wrinkles to this election cycle and the neighborhood debate are the inevitable annexations. King County divesting itself of unincorporated areas is significant for Renton. Renton will pass Bellevue as the second-most-populous city in the county, with about 120,000 residents, if it annexes the surrounding unincorporated neighborhoods.
This should raise serious concerns for Renton’s existing neighborhoods. What happens to fire and police response times? What about the West Hill’s sad infrastructure? Will taxes have to be raised to compensate for a city that could see its population double if all potential annexations happen?
The argument can also be made that the annexations will not change much of anything. Renton is already the defining reference point for many unincorporated residents.
Children on the West Hill already go to Renton schools, as do many in Benson Hill, Cascade and Fairwood.
Renton clearly understands how to do business. It is also a city with residents who are passionate about their neighborhoods, and neighbors. The attention given to neighborhood questions this election shows that Renton’s political candidates feel the same.
We want your opinion
The SE Living section has been going strong for six months. Since the first edition ran in April, we have published an array of guest commentaries. We have heard from Renton car dealers supporting a proposed arena, to a mother concerned about half-day versus full-day kindergarten in Kent. We have run opinion pieces from city managers and elected officials.
Southeast King County is a vibrant place with many different opinions. We want more! Send your commentaries to me at rblethen@seattletimes.com
Ryan Blethen’s column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. His e-mail address is rblethen@seattletimes.com
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