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Residents urge pause to Renton High School expansion, cite displacement and eminent domain history
Summary
Public commenters asked the Renton City Council to put the Renton High School expansion on hold, citing potential displacement of low-income and immigrant households and recent state legislation they say addresses eminent domain returns.
Several Renton residents urged the Renton City Council to pause the Renton High School expansion project and to address possible displacement of nearby households.
“I am requesting that the Renton High School Expansion Project be put on hold,” said Angie Lalainen, who told the council she had reviewed the city’s comprehensive plan and housing action plan and concluded the district’s process risked displacing long-standing, low-income and immigrant residents. Lalainen said she had seen SEPA reviews filed before land-use applications appeared on the city website and that signs notifying neighbors were posted only this week.
The concern ties to a broader narrative raised by another public speaker. “An $11,500,000 science wing that was built 3 years ago is going to get demolished. 32 homes, 32 families, 32 residents are being forced out of their homes because the Renton School Board is once again using eminent domain,” said Cheryl Frieze, who also cited recent state legislation she said affects property taken by eminent domain.
Why it matters: speakers framed the expansion as a case study in the comprehensive plan’s stated goal to “implement policies and practices to address and undo racial disparities and exclusion in housing” and the city’s housing action plan funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Commenters argued the council and the city should ensure the school district’s plans do not run contrary to the city’s anti-displacement policies.
What was raised in the meeting: residents asked the council to (1) place the Renton High School expansion on hold pending fuller public notice and review, (2) ensure land-use applications and SEPA reviews are posted and clear to the public, and (3) consider anti-displacement measures the city’s housing plan recommends. Speakers said some neighbors were told by Renton School District representatives that district staff considered nearby homeowners unlikely to contest acquisition because they could not afford legal fights.
Council response and formal action: the comments were delivered during the public comment period; the council did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting. No motion to halt the project was made on the council floor while speakers were at the podium.
Background and context: speakers referenced the city’s comprehensive plan and the Renton City Council’s housing action plan, and raised SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review timing as an immediate concern. One commenter also invoked recent state legislation on eminent domain; the council did not discuss or cite any statutory change or take an action to implement changes during the meeting.
What’s next: commenters asked the council to follow up with the Renton School District and to ensure the public has clear access to land-use filings and project signage. The council did not set a follow-up vote or hearing at this meeting.
