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Renton, Washington is located 11 miles southeast of downtown Seattle. Renton is also located on both sides of the southeastern shore of Lake Washington. In the 1860's, Renton was first settled by white pioneers although the community has long been an important salmon fishing region for Native Indians. The early economy was based on the export of timber, clay production, and coal mining. These days, the community is best known as the final assembly location for the Boeing 737 family of commercial airplanes.
In addition, Renton is also home to a growing number of well-known service, technology, and manufacturing companies, that include Wizards of the Coast, Providence Health and Services, Parallels, Inc., GEICO, PACCAR, as well as Boeing. In 2010, the population of Renton was 90,927 people. Currently, Renton is comprised of the 8th largest population in Washington state, and has the 4th largest population in King County. The Seattle Seahawks of the NFL (National Football League), have a training facility that is located in Renton.
A couple named Henry and Diana Tobin were among the first white pioneers in Renton. In 1895, a man named Erasmus Smithers founded the settlement as the Renton Cooperative Coal Organization. Coal was discovered there by Mr. Smithers, who brought in a man named Charles Shattuck to be the operator if the coal mine. The year 1901 brought the incorporation of Renton as a city. At that time, timber processing and coal mining ere the two most important economic industries in the region. The community was susceptible to flooding from the Black and Cedar Rivers. The completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, in 1916, lowered the surface of Lake Washington some nine feet which subsequently eliminated the drainage of Lake Washington through the Black River. Then, the course Cedar River was changed so that it would drain into Lake Washington rather than the Black River. The result of these actions reduced the threat of yearly flooding.
During WW II, the population of Renton increased dramatically, when Boeing constructed their plant in Renton to manufacture the B-29 Superfortress. Also headquartered in Renton is a game company known as the Wizards of the Coast. The Providence Health System also has its centralized administrative offices located in Renton.
The economic development team of Renton has attracted several specialty retailers that attract consumers from all over the area, that Include IKEA and Fry's Electronics. This is largely the result of its location at the confluence of
The Renton Library is well-loved and unique, having been constructed directly over the Cedar River. In 1964, the library was designed by Johnston-Campanella and Company, and, in 1966, was completed and opened. The Cedar River Library runs across the river along Liberty Park for some 80 feet. In 2010, the library was annexed into the King County Library system. Salmon can be viewed as they make their way up the river, especially during spawning season, from the deck at the entrance to the library.
Renton took on a rather ambitious redevelopment effort during the middle 1990's. This effort was to revitalize the core of its downtown area, which, since 1968, with the opening of the Southcenter Shopping Center in Tukwila, doesn't have the commercial prominence that it once had. The numerous automobile dealerships that had formerly occupied the hub of downtown Renton were provided with economic incentives to move to a newly developed auto sales zone at the nearby SR0167/I-405 interchange. A parking garage and a new transit hub that were constructed in partnership with King County Metro, replaced the old dealerships downtown.
At the same time, several privately developed mixed-use retail and residential were also constructed within a one block radius of the transit hub. This permitted single bus commutes to areas of employment, such as Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle. A new town square, known as the Piazza, was built alongside the transit hub, and the existing automobile dealership building was completely remodeled into an events hub, which and is currently named the Pavilion Building. The Piazza hosts a Farmer's Market every week in the summer months, in addition to some other community events all throughout the year, while the Pavilion Building, which is owned by the city, can be rented for events, such as fundraisers and parties. A private caterer provided onsite catering.
A 68-acre development, known as The Landing is located in the middle of the previous Boeing Company land, close to the southern shore of Lake Washington. There are two luxury apartment communities that are located at The Landing, The Reserve and the Sanctuary are comprised of a combined 880 residences, that target young professionals demographic. In 2007, the first commercial tenants of arrived at The Landing and as of 2012, some 80% of the retail space was leased. The close by Southport development, which is located directly on the shoreline of Lake Washington, was once the location of the Shuffleton power plant until, 2001, when it was demolished. Southport is currently the home of The Bristol luxury apartments.
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Renton Tidbits
Renton, Washington is located 11 miles southeast of downtown Seattle. Renton is also located on both sides of the southeastern shore of Lake Washington. In the 1860's, Renton was first settled by white pioneers although the community has long been an important salmon fishing region for Native Indians. The early economy was based on the export of timber, clay production, and coal mining. These days, the community is best known as the final assembly location for the Boeing 737 family of commercial airplanes.
In addition, Renton is also home to a growing number of well-known service, technology, and manufacturing companies, that include Wizards of the Coast, Providence Health and Services, Parallels, Inc., GEICO, PACCAR, as well as Boeing. In 2010, the population of Renton was 90,927 people. Currently, Renton is comprised of the 8th largest population in Washington state, and has the 4th largest population in King County. The Seattle Seahawks of the NFL (National Football League), have a training facility that is located in Renton.
A couple named Henry and Diana Tobin were among the first white pioneers in Renton. In 1895, a man named Erasmus Smithers founded the settlement as the Renton Cooperative Coal Organization. Coal was discovered there by Mr. Smithers, who brought in a man named Charles Shattuck to be the operator if the coal mine. The year 1901 brought the incorporation of Renton as a city. At that time, timber processing and coal mining ere the two most important economic industries in the region. The community was susceptible to flooding from the Black and Cedar Rivers. The completion of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, in 1916, lowered the surface of Lake Washington some nine feet which subsequently eliminated the drainage of Lake Washington through the Black River. Then, the course Cedar River was changed so that it would drain into Lake Washington rather than the Black River. The result of these actions reduced the threat of yearly flooding.
During WW II, the population of Renton increased dramatically, when Boeing constructed their plant in Renton to manufacture the B-29 Superfortress. Also headquartered in Renton is a game company known as the Wizards of the Coast. The Providence Health System also has its centralized administrative offices located in Renton.
The economic development team of Renton has attracted several specialty retailers that attract consumers from all over the area, that Include IKEA and Fry's Electronics. This is largely the result of its location at the confluence of
The Renton Library is well-loved and unique, having been constructed directly over the Cedar River. In 1964, the library was designed by Johnston-Campanella and Company, and, in 1966, was completed and opened. The Cedar River Library runs across the river along Liberty Park for some 80 feet. In 2010, the library was annexed into the King County Library system. Salmon can be viewed as they make their way up the river, especially during spawning season, from the deck at the entrance to the library.
Renton took on a rather ambitious redevelopment effort during the middle 1990's. This effort was to revitalize the core of its downtown area, which, since 1968, with the opening of the Southcenter Shopping Center in Tukwila, doesn't have the commercial prominence that it once had. The numerous automobile dealerships that had formerly occupied the hub of downtown Renton were provided with economic incentives to move to a newly developed auto sales zone at the nearby SR0167/I-405 interchange. A parking garage and a new transit hub that were constructed in partnership with King County Metro, replaced the old dealerships downtown.
At the same time, several privately developed mixed-use retail and residential were also constructed within a one block radius of the transit hub. This permitted single bus commutes to areas of employment, such as Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle. A new town square, known as the Piazza, was built alongside the transit hub, and the existing automobile dealership building was completely remodeled into an events hub, which and is currently named the Pavilion Building. The Piazza hosts a Farmer's Market every week in the summer months, in addition to some other community events all throughout the year, while the Pavilion Building, which is owned by the city, can be rented for events, such as fundraisers and parties. A private caterer provided onsite catering.
A 68-acre development, known as The Landing is located in the middle of the previous Boeing Company land, close to the southern shore of Lake Washington. There are two luxury apartment communities that are located at The Landing, The Reserve and the Sanctuary are comprised of a combined 880 residences, that target young professionals demographic. In 2007, the first commercial tenants of arrived at The Landing and as of 2012, some 80% of the retail space was leased. The close by Southport development, which is located directly on the shoreline of Lake Washington, was once the location of the Shuffleton power plant until, 2001, when it was demolished. Southport is currently the home of The Bristol luxury apartments.