Neighbors tell Renton council a vacant Boeing building is a public-safety hazard, ask city to enforce vacancy code

Several North Renton residents urged the council to take action after reporting escalating problems at a vacant former Boeing property at 6th and Park, where one speaker said a fire and falling debris recently endangered pedestrians.

Nora Schultz, who identified herself as a North Renton resident and property owner, said the building has been vacant for about a year and that over the weekend a partition wall was thrown from the seventh floor, landing on the sidewalk with glass and debris. She said the front doors are shattered and plywood boarding has been regularly breached. “We do not need a large vacant building in our neighborhood to attract more people to create more problems,” Schultz said, asking the city to provide written documentation showing when notices were sent to the property owner and a date by which the owner must secure the property.

Schultz requested a written response by next Wednesday so neighborhood association members can report back at their meeting. Council members acknowledged the concern and said staff would provide a written response; one council member noted the planning and development committee will review code and enforcement issues.

Diane Thompson and other residents reiterated safety concerns, noting increased calls for service, night‑time activity, and risks to first responders. Council staff and members committed to follow up with code‑enforcement steps and to provide the requested documentation.

The council did not take an immediate enforcement vote during the meeting; residents were told the administration and relevant committees are assembling information about current code provisions and potential updates.