Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development Eminent Domain topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Glass Eye Studios says school board eminent‑domain process prompted relocation; speaker urges city follow‑up
Summary
A Glass Eye Studios representative and a Renton resident said the school board’s eminent‑domain action and perceived poor treatment led the glass‑blowing business to relocate outside Renton; the speaker said city staff had promised follow‑up contact that had not occurred.
A Renton resident urged the council to address what she described as a missed opportunity involving Glass Eye Studios, a glass‑blowing business whose Airport Way property was taken by eminent domain in a school board action.
Holly Omel told council members that Glass Eye representatives told her they were offered less compensation than neighboring properties and that a city employee’s statements at a Feb. 26 school‑board meeting went unchallenged. Omel said the Glass Eye representative asked to refute the city employee’s facts but was not permitted to speak and that, despite an assurance that a city representative would follow up, no one had contacted the business as of 9:30 a.m. the morning Omel called.
Omel said Glass Eye had planned to move its studio to the Airport Way building and to engage Renton youth with learning opportunities in glass‑blowing. She said the business employs about 25 people and that, after the meeting and the lack of city follow‑up, the company had instead found property in South Park and decided not to locate in Renton.
“After being treated so badly by the city and the school board, they no longer wish to do business with the city of Renton,” Omel said. “We are the losers. We lost an opportunity to engage our youth and community in the art of glass blowing.”
Omel asked the council to note the missed economic and community engagement opportunity and to ensure better follow‑through when property acquisitions affect local businesses.
