Road Services - Renton Avenue South Construction Project frequently-asked questions
What improvements will be made to Renton Avenue South?
The project will add sidewalks, landscaping and provide on-street parking and retain a bicycle lane on the east side of Renton Avenue South between 75th Avenue South and 76th Avenue South. An update to the existing “Welcome to Skyway Park” gateway at Renton Avenue South and 76th Avenue South was originally considered, but is no longer part of the current construction plan.
Why is it being done?
King County completed a study of the Renton Avenue South corridor in the West Hill area in 2002. The study identified a corridor design concept for Renton Avenue South that included improvements to automobile and pedestrian circulation in the southern business area between 75th Avenue South and 76th Avenue South. (see a rendering of the concept, 64KB .jpg). The current work is part of the effort to fulfill this vision.
When will this project be finished?
This first phase of construction, as described above, is scheduled for spring 2013 (the rest of the work identified in the 2002 design concept will require more funding in the future and is not scheduled at this time). Construction is expected to begin in late early April 2013 and last up to twelve weeks.
How will construction affect local businesses and residents?
Construction will take up to twelve weeks to complete. Business entrances may have limited use during construction and customers may need to use alternative driveways. The bus stops on the east side of Renton Avenue South at the South 126th Street and 75th Avenue South intersections will be temporarily closed. Riders of northbound Metro Transit bus Route 106 to Seattle should use the temporary bus stop north of 75th Avenue South or the permanent bus stop south of 76th Avenue South.
Who is doing the work?
The King County Road Services Division is partnering with the City of Renton to design and construct these improvements. Award Construction, Inc., is the contractor for this project.
How much will this project cost? Where does the funding come from?
This project is being funded by two grants -- one secured by the City of Renton from the Washington State Department of Commerce and the other secured by the King County Road Services Division from U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development Block Grant funding. The two grants total $1,125,500.
How will these improvements affect the local community?
Improvements to Renton Avenue South will support economic development and infrastructure investment in the area. Fulfilling the community’s longer-term vision will bring additional customers to area businesses and create new opportunities for employment, services, and housing for the community—with the potential to significantly enhance the employment base in the West Hill business district and stimulate the creation of several hundred high-wage jobs.
Residents and consumers will benefit from having more ways to access businesses and social-service organizations along the corridor. These improvements will create a welcoming environment.
How can local residents, businesses, social service organizations, and property owners get involved?
King County and the City of Renton sought public input into design of the sidewalk improvements along Renton Avenue South in May 2011.
Public input was sought via an open house, phone and email. Staff walked the corridor and met with businesses, and attended meetings of the West Hill Community Association, Skyway Solutions and the West Hill Business Association to listen to community concerns and recommendations about the project. This input influenced the final design of the project.
How will this project affect local businesses and adjacent property owners?
Some parking spaces for businesses in the public right-of-way will be removed as a result of adding sidewalks on the east side of Renton Avenue South. The County worked with affected businesses to identify parking solutions to mitigate adverse impacts. New parallel parking spaces along the east side of Renton Avenue South will be constructed with this project.
Information from the Road Services Division's website is available to people with disabilities in alternate formats upon request by calling 206-263-6482 or 711 for the TTY relay service.
 = External link
|
