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Renton Downtown Partnership details façade grants, events and business supports
Summary
The Renton Downtown Partnership presented a year of events, façade grant awards and outreach efforts to the Committee of the Whole, highlighting $15,000 in façade funding, Legacy Square activations and efforts to expand multilingual outreach and business assistance.
Julia Lopez Garcia, executive director of the Renton Downtown Partnership, told the Committee of the Whole that the organization updated its mission last year to “collaborate with and unite businesses, neighbors, and the city to make downtown Renton a thriving, vibrant, and authentic place for everyone.”
Lopez Garcia outlined four strategic approaches—economic vitality, design, promotions and outreach—and described programs the Partnership runs to support downtown merchants, including façade grants, business-resource connections, marketing assistance and place management. She said the Partnership spent $15,000 last year on façade improvements and that recipients included New Zen and the Renton Historical Society.
The presentation emphasized programming designed to bring customers downtown. Lopez Garcia cited recent activations such as ArtWalk expansion, a FIFA welcome campaign and a Purple Lights night that drew more than 100 people, activities coordinated with partners including the City of Renton, Renton Chamber and Visit Renton.
Council members asked how the Partnership plans to advance workforce development and help businesses recruit staff. Lopez Garcia said the idea—targeted internships or apprenticeships for downtown employers—remains in early planning: “we'd love to be able to bring internships to downtown businesses specifically,” she said, noting costs and connections remain to be worked out.
When asked about managing public places, Lopez Garcia used Legacy Square as an example of a ‘third place’ that benefits from active programming and maintenance so it does not become a “dead zone.” She said Legacy Square furniture and lighting improvements—secured in partnership with the city and a contract that involved IKEA—support year-round activation.
On the façade-grant program, Lopez Garcia said the Partnership received eight applications in the most recent cycle, the largest turnout to date, and that award decisions are made by a subcommittee considering historic preservation, design and cost estimates. Council members urged more targeted outreach to long-standing businesses that have not applied and suggested guidance about reducing excessive storefront signage.
Lopez Garcia described revenue sources for the Partnership: the primary stream is contributions tied to the city’s business-and-occupation (B&O/BNO) tax credit program (business contributors receive up to 75% tax-credit benefits the following year), supplemented by sponsorships, event revenues and donor support. She said the Partnership is also working to improve multilingual signage and materials—Spanish and Vietnamese were cited as top languages for downtown merchants—and relies on bilingual volunteers for culturally relevant outreach.
The Committee praised the Partnership’s improved social media presence and volunteer-led cleanups; Lopez Garcia credited neighborhood groups and volunteers, singling out Meredith of the North Renton Neighborhood Association for leading cleanup efforts.
The presentation closed with the Partnership’s near-term priorities: continuing Legacy Square activations, expanding ArtWalk, increasing business outreach and pursuing historic-preservation initiatives. Lopez Garcia said the organization plans to keep listening to business owners while building out programs over the coming year.
The Committee did not take formal action on the presentation; council members requested additional detail on outreach strategies and business counts for future briefings.
