Water cascades off of a Harrington Square tower as fire fighters pour ten thousand gallons per minute on the blaze and surrounding neighborhood. This rate of flow would fill the entire Henry Moses Aquatic Center every thirty minutes. (Photo by Gary Palmer)
The Harrington Square fire scene on Tuesday night was a dramatic flurry of flames, firefighters, emergency vehicles, spectators, hoses, and water-water-water everywhere. I was amazed by the number of fire hoses in action by the time I arrived at the scene.
I instantly thought about the conversations we had held about the fire flow capacity in this neighborhood several years earlier, and the complex projects our water department had undertaken to improve the condition.
In the previous year our water department engineering supervisors, Abdoul Gafour, Lys Hornsby, and Greg Zimmerman had lead their teams on a massive effort to improve the water capacity in this neighborhood specifically to prepare for a large apartment-house fire.
The improvements they made included trenching over a mile of street to put in larger water mains, the construction of a 4.2 million gallon reservoir near Hazen High School, and dozens of new connections and fire hydrants.
The new water mains were paid for through a Special Assessment District, that developers in the affected area pay into at the time of new construction of large commercial projects. This was determined to be the most fair way to get the water system necessary for safe large-scale development, without asking local homeowners to pay for it.
The water main upsizing came in under budget, at around 1.2 million dollars plus some city staff time. Considering that the two mostly finished Harrington Square towers (that already have carpet and appliances) were very possibly saved by the higher water capacity, we might have already seen a twenty to one financial return on these water upgrades. And if you consider that the water upgrades may have contributed to keeping other parts of the highlands from burning, the financial and emotional payback of the water upgrades is immeasurable. (For instance the Oakland Hills California fire of 1991 did two billion in damage and created overwhelming heartbreak; it was worsened by antiquated, narrow, water lines...fire fighters had too little pressure, or simply ran out of water while trying to battle that blaze.)
I spoke with our Water Utility Supervisor Abdoul Gafour yesterday, to commend him and his department for the excellent work. He responded with some very interesting data by email, which I have attached here: _____________________________________________
Hello Councilmember Corman,
As a follow-up to our phone conversation this afternoon, attached are copies of City correspondences with background information related to the water main improvements, and to the new Hazen 4.2 Million-Gallon reservoir, which were completed in February 2009. The new 12-inch looped water mains (located in NE Sunset Blvd, Harrington Ave NE, and NE 9th St) along with the additional storage from the new reservoir were able to deliver sufficient flows and water pressure during the recent fire in the Highlands.
Although the new water mains were designed to provide 5,000 gallons per minute based on a design criteria using a lower flow velocity in the pipe during normal usage to reduce scouring, they can provide 8,000 to 10,000 gallons per minute during a fire fighting event, because water will be drawn from the hydrants at a higher velocity.
Our telemetry records showed that all of our booster pump stations performed very well during the fire fighting event, and were able to replenish water storage to the Highlands and Hazen reservoirs from other storage facilities located in other pressure zones within the City. I am also attaching some photos taken during the construction of the 12-inch water line.
I was able to visit the site later in the evening of the event, and saw that fire trucks from Renton and from several other Cities and Fire Districts were drawing water from at least 8 hydrants simultaneously and that the water pressure and flowrate were adequate. Each hydrant can deliver a minimum of 1,000 gpm.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Happy 4th of July to you and your family.
Regards,
Abdoul Gafour Water Utility Engineering Supervisor 425-430-7210
This scene, with many hoses being used, was the same on all four sides of the fire. Firefighters used additional hoses to spray down the surrounding homes.(Photo by Gary Palmer)
The day after the fire, a new hydrant hints at the massive water improvements undertaken by the Water Utility to prepare for such an event (Photo by Gary Palmer)
Below you can see the special assessment summary:
Last year: crews digging up Harrington Ave to install new water mains. (Photo courtesy of City of Renton)
A new water main placed in it's trench last year (photo courtesy of City of Renton)
New Hazen Reservoir, completed last year, holds 4.2 million gallons of water to meet fire and customer needs in Renton Highlands
CLICK HERE for a six page power-point presentation council received in Utilities Committee containing additional detail about these water upgrades.
We reopened Duval Ave yesterday, after a year of construction and patient coping on the part of our residents and businesses. The new road is five lanes, compared to just two lanes prior to the closure. In addition, we've added sidewalks, a new signal, underground power, and many other improvements.
We worked this project in coordination with the City of Newcastle, which provided the gorgeous new bridge over May Creek. We also had great partnering from King County and the State of Washington.
This upgraded road will provide far more convenient access to Newcastle, Bellevue, and the Eastside for the 60,000 or so residents in the greater Renton Highlands and May Valley area. The road will also give Newcastle residents improved connectivity to I-405, Renton, and Issaquah.
Here are some additional images that professional photographer Gary Palmer captured of the event.
Below the photos, I have attached a little more information for you.
____________________________________ Some of the people present included:
o Mayor Denis Law and Renton City Councilmembers o State representative Marcie Maxwell o Federal, state and local elected officials o Linda Dougherty from King County o Renton School District Superintendant Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel o Renton School Board Members Al Talley, RSD Community Relations Director Randy Matheson o Steve Barger and Jim Hernandez, Northwest Cascade, Inc.: o Local business leaders o Representatives of the Renton School District o Community members representing our Neighborhood Associations o A number of our hard-working city Staff
__________________________________________________ And here are a few highlights from my comments:
• Without doubt this has been one of the most complex projects that we have undertaken as a city
• I remember a packed Council meeting last year when we had to make a determination on whether to have a complete road closure and finish the project in one year and save $4 million and 15 months in time or have a partial closure.
• It was a difficult decision and we had businesses and community members from all perspectives providing us with their input and concerns. And though we had several speakers almost everybody agreed that this work needed to be done – we had to make improvements to reduce the congestion and improve the safety in this very important corridor.
• We made the call to complete this project in a year but also assured our community that we would do everything possible to ensure the safety of the kids in school, the residents in the neighborhood, keep businesses open and provide local access and minimize disruption.
• It worked! We are here today – ahead of schedule and under budget.
• There are great improvements that this project has accomplished • The project widened the road to five lanes, including a two-way left-turn lane in the center • Overhead power lines were moved underground for added safety during storms and emergencies • A new traffic signal was installed at Duvall Ave. and NE 21st St. • New bicycle lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalks were installed • A retaining wall along the west side of Duvall Avenue NE was built • A detention pond was constructed at the northern end of the project • New utility lines were installed
As a reminder, we officially open Duval Ave tomorrow at 10:00 AM! There will be a ceremony and ribbon cutting. The event will be near Sunset and Duval (near the south end of the one-year closure). I hope to see you there!
This has some additional details about the subject incident
______________________________________________________________ Commander Paul Cline 425-430-7597 July 1, 2009
Renton Police Department Media Release
On June 30th, at 9:25 pm officers of the Renton Police Department were assisting with traffic control for a structure fire at NE 9th Street and Harrington Ave NE. Officers were diverting traffic at the intersection of Sunset Blvd NE and Edmonds Ave NE. A uniformed officer was in the intersection directing traffic when a white Toyota Pick-up truck, driven by a 29-year-old male, was traveling southbound on Edmonds and turned left onto eastbound Sunset. The Toyota failed to yield the right of way to a Honda that was northbound on Edmonds and struck the Honda in the intersection. The Toyota then continued eastbound on Sunset in the westbound lanes of travel and struck the officer who was directing traffic. The officer was thrown across the front end of the Toyota and carried approximately 100 feet on the vehicle before he was thrown free. The officer then rolled under the front end of another vehicle that was stopped in the westbound lanes of Sunset. The Toyota then crossed over the center median and into the eastbound lanes of travel where it collided with a parked Renton Police Car and came to rest.
The officer, who has been with the Renton Police for approximately one year, was transported to Harborview Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The officer was treated for his injuries and was released several hours later. The drivers of the vehicles involved in the collision were not injured. The Renton Police Department Traffic Unit is conducting the on-scene investigation. The driver of the Toyota Pick-up that struck the officer was arrested and transported to the Renton Police Department for investigation of Reckless Driving and DUI.
Dear Council, As you know, a spectacular fire destroyed two buildings under construction at Harrington Square. Flames also destroyed a small house used for a commercial business at the southend of the block. This was a 3-alarm that also required at least one Strike Team from other jurisdictions. We had ladder trucks from as far away as Redmond and units from all over south King County and Bellevue at the scene helping with the fire.
Our fire fighters were successful at saving the two finished buildings on the northside.
While directing traffic at the intersection of Edmonds and Sunset, one of our officers was struck by a suspected drunk driver who dragged him nearly a block on the wrong side of the roadway and then swerved into the correct lane of travel and crashed into one of our patrol cars. The officer, Mike Thompson, was treated by paramedics and taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Medics told me they didn't think he had serious injuries.
The driver was arrested. I have attached a couple photos I took at the scene.
Flames could be seen for miles tonight as two of four building at our brand new Harrington Square Apartments burned to the ground in Renton Highlands.
The complex of 5 story buildings caught fire in a dramatic fashion, in what many witnesses described as a loud explosion, or series of explosions. Some nearby property owners are even reporting cracked windows, possibly from the explosion.
Fire departments throughout the region sent support, to assist Renton firefighters as they battled to knock down the flames and keep them from spreading to nearby homes and businesses. Fire personnel were present from Kirkland, Woodinville, Eastside Fire and Rescue, Fire District 40, Bellevue, Seattle, Kent, Tukwila, Burien, and Skyway, and likely many others.
Fortunately, it looks at this point like no one was seriously hurt by the fire. Since the apartments units were under construction, they were unoccupied when they ignited. [INJURY UPDATE: See my next entry, an email from the mayor, for information regarding the injury of a police officer who was hit by a drunk driver while directing traffic at the scene]
Ironically, and very fortunately, the Harrington Square project had been delayed for over a year as we upgraded water mains in Sunset Ave NE specifically to equip this part of the city with the capacity needed to extinguish a fire in these buildings, on the prescient advice of our fire department. We completed our 1.5 million dollar water main work last year, and construction on Harrington Square began shortly afterward.
This apartment complex was built on the site of an aging strip mall, and is intended to jump start the Renton Highlands redevelopment effort.
While the two buildings affected are a total loss, I am hopeful the project will have insurance that can keep it moving forward. This is of course a huge setback in any case.
I am thankful to all the fire fighters toiling tonight to contain the damage. They have really had to work hard this month to keep the city from burning down.
Here is a link to the architects summary of the Harrington Square project.
Our Newfoundland Dolly makes a new friend down at the all-new Cedar River Dog Park
This message just in tonight from RUFF , the organization of volunteers working to bring us an off-leash dog park: _______________________________________________________
"Thanks to the amazing contributions of our volunteers, donors, and sponsors, we are pleased to announce that the Cedar River Dog Park is now open! This past weekend over 50 volunteers came through on short notice to build the fencing and install the gates. Be sure to check out the construction photos on our website.
If you don't know how to get to the dog park, you can get directions here. Before entering the dog park, please take time to read the temporary Rules & Regulations at the entrance.
Until the water spigot is hooked up (within a couple weeks), you'll want to bring your own water to the dog park. We suggest you bring water in plastic gallon jugs which you or others can take home and refill as needed. We will provide some plastic water bowls for the dogs, but if you have extra plastic dog bowls. we encourage you to bring them (just be aware that they may go missing at some point).
Garbage cans and "mutt mitts" (baggies) will be installed tomorrow at the park. Until then, please bring your own bags or grab a mutt mitt at the Cedar River Trail kiosk, and dispose of pet waste in a trash can along the trail.
The smaller fenced area of the park is for "shy" dogs that may not be comfortable playing in the larger main area. That includes smaller dogs who are intimidated by large and rambunctious dogs. However, all dogs are welcome in the main area, regardless of size. We just ask that you not bring large and rambunctious dogs into the smaller area.
The fencing is completed, but we still have a lot of work left to do, including hooking up the water line, constructing the informational kiosk, building the benches, spreading mulch, filling in low areas, and many other details. We'll be asking for volunteers to help with various projects in the coming days and weeks and hope you feel free to participate.
We look forward to seeing all of you down at the park!
Ruff!
Kevin Poole & Debbie Englund Operations Committee
P.S.: The next time you're at McLendon Hardware, be sure to thank them for providing us with the fencing materials, an amazingly generous donation from our hometown company. And if you need construction or excavation work done, we can put you in touch with some fantastic companies that really came through for RUFF, including Perry Excavation, LaValley Backhoe, and Dochnahl Construction. Thank you all!" _________________________________________________________
THANK YOU RUFF, for your amazing contribution to our community. We really appreciate the hard work of all of you who volunteered in construction, planning, fundraising, and all the other support to get this done. And thank you to the generous sponsors listed above, and for those of you who have contributed dollars for this effort. Great job everyone!
And here are additional photos from our visit tonight!
Walking to the off-leash area from the trail-head under I-405 (across the river from the community center)
Sturdy redundant entry gates, on both ends of a catch-pen, prevent other dogs from escaping as we enter the expansive off-leash area.
Elizabeth Stevens, who lives just west of Renton Airport, reported this on her Facebook this morning:
"Renton Police were all over our street and down to Rainier Ave late last night searching for a hit & run suspect. Advised us all to keep doors & windows locked. Wonder if they caught the suspect. We need RPD cruising our area more frequently these days."
The New Hawks Landing Hotel at the Pan Abode site is pushing ahead, in spite of the tough world-wide economic conditions.
If you click here you can read some technical data from one of their forthcoming city hearings.
I think a new higher-end hotel at this location will be a great asset to the city. And we can certainly use the construction, sales and lodging taxes right now.
Here is my previous blog on this topic, which includes more information about the planned hotel complex.
Loopnet, A publicly-traded internet-based listing company, has become the hottest place to advertise commercial real estate these days. Most of the big brokers use this service. Some would say that Loopnet is to Commercial Real Estate what the Multiple Listing Service is residential real estate.
Loopnet charges a fee for premium access to all its listings, but it also posts teasers for free on the open internet. Here are their free listings from yesterday's Renton search.
This data includes both properties for sale, and properties for lease.
Some things that jumped out at me were the offering of the Greenfresh Market at five million, the East Valley 13 Theater and property for 11.5 million, and the new Walgreens property for 7.6 million (but it is leased, by Walgreens, for the next 25 years).
I also noticed that retail space at the new Hawks Landing hotel is said to be already leased. I'll post a new blog on this hotel in a few minutes.
I don't know anything about this billboard, but I think the concept would be fine. These are common fixtures in big city pedestrian areas. What do you think?
Here are some photos from yesterday's Duvall Ave Street Party. We will be formally reopening this road on July 2nd, after a year of closure and widening. Thanks to Assistant City Administrator Kelley Balcomb-Bartok for the great photos.
From left to right: Councilwoman Marcie Palmer, Councilman King Parker, Councilman Rich Zwicker, me, Mayor Denis Law, Councilman Greg Taylor, Councilwoman Terri Briere. (Councilman Don Persson arrived at the event shortly after this picture was taken)
Renton is saying farewell to a very good reporter today. Emily Garland has been a familiar face at many community meetings, celebrations and news scenes in the last few years. She is leaving the Renton Reporter to work for the Peace Corps, where she will be stationed in Cambodia. Those of us who have worked with her will miss her. See Emily's personal goodbye in the Renton Reporter here
Thanks Emily for all your great reporting over the years! Best wishes to you.
---------------------------------------- Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:48:09 PM To: Council
Dear council members :
I am writing to you on behalf of myself and my neighbors in regard to ongoing cruising /speeding and illegal noise from vehicle stereos and modified muffler systems.
Renton police can only apply the ordinances they have to address this problem.
Currently the ordinances are too vague as to what actions officers can take to extinguish this ongoing problem.The penalties need to be such that it deters others from committing such offenses.
We ask that you pass an ordinance to prohibit vehicle cruising on NE SUNSET BLVD from UNION AVE NE to NE 12 TH and to also prohibit loud vehicular stereos and modified muffler noises.(including motorcycle modified mufflers)
I received an email at city hall which identified the lawsuit that has been filed against several Washington cities regarding traffic enforcement cameras, and asking my opinion of it. This is a great question, and a good discussion topic.
In short, I do not have a strong opinion about this lawsuit. The plaintiffs assert that the state law should limit the traffic camera fines to no more than the city's highest existing parking ticket fine, and hence should be closer to $40 than the current $100 to $124 that many cities (including Renton) charge. The city defendants are stating that state law allows parking tickets to be in this $124 range, so it is okay. My view is that I will be happy to hear what the court decides, and comply with it without any argument.
I have mixed feelings about these cameras, but I currently lean toward the side of supporting the limited use of them. I don't want to make money from the cameras, but I would like them to help retrain the worst red-light violators to quit running red lights, and retrain us all to slow down in school zones.
If a smaller fine can do this as well as a bigger fine, I don't really care that much if we get forced to lower it. There may be contract issues with the firm that installed the cameras at their expense... but I don't know exactly what the contract says about this at this point.
So, philosophically, I'm personally fine with however this ruling comes out.
Please click HERE to get more background from my previous blogs regarding the discussion, debate, and engineering adjustments that went into the current traffic camera system.
Below is the email I recieved: _______________________________________________________________
Randy,
Here's an interesting article from today's KING 5 web page. You might comment on this on your web page.
Suit claims drivers charged excessive traffic camera fines
10:39 AM PDT on Wednesday, June 24, 2009
KING5.com Staff
KING
SEATTLE – A class action lawsuit has been filed against 19 Washington cities, saying fines doled out to drivers caught on automatic traffic cameras are higher than the law allows.
Attorneys are basing the suit on a state law that was passed by the State Legislature in 2005. The law states “the amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.”
The attorneys contend the purpose of the camera law was to increase traffic safety, not to raise revenue.
Related Content Read the law
Read the lawsuit (.pdf)
Follow KING 5 on Twitter
Follow NWCN on Twitter Based on the law, the attorneys argue that if a city’s highest parking ticket is $40, that’s the most you can be fined if you are caught on an automatic traffic camera. But, most cities charge anywhere from $101 to $124 if you’re caught by a camera – the same as if an on duty officer had caught you themselves.
The suit claims, in some cases, the cities are charging up to four times more than the law allows.
The law only allows cities to use the cameras at two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings and school speed zones.
The suit seeks restitution for anyone who has received an excessive fine in Washington and an injunction to stop assessing excess fines.
The case has been assigned to King County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell.
It's been a tough few weeks of news regarding some of the memorable personalities of the 70s and 80s. A friend just pointed out that beginning with David Carradine's death, we've lost icons from four entertainment genres; a kung-fu/adventure actor, a memorable and popular game-show/variety personality in Ed McMahan, then heart-throb actress and poster beauty Farrah Fawcett, and finally the iconic King of Pop.
It's a bit of an adjustment to think of them all passing on. Even though their public contributions were largely in earlier decades, I still enjoyed David Carradine's more recent performances in Kill Bill, and I would have been very happy to see him in new films. By coincidence, during this last year our family watched all the seasons of his 70's TV series "Kung Fu," (on DVD) and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I wanted so much for Farah Fawcett to somehow regain her health, as she worked so hard to do. Watching an interview in which Ryan O'Neal struggled to keep Farah Fawcett cheerful reminded me of watching the 1971 Movie "Love Story", the original "chick flick" in which Ryan O'Neal plays a college student watching his first true love die from cancer. "Love Story" made me cry at age 12, and Fawcett's death made me just as sad today. (Many of my high-school friends in the 70's owned Farah Fawcett's one-piece swimsuit poster, and it became the best-selling poster of all time. At age 15 I could have purchased it as well, except during that year I met a beautiful real-life girl named Cathy, and I began decorating with Cathy's pictures instead.)
I had been following Ed McMahon's financial struggles, and I kept wishing that he could win one of the sweepstakes that he kept telling me "you may have already won" back in the 80s. (Donald Trump finally helped him keep his home). I loved reading McMahon's reflections about his extremely fond memories of his years with Johnny Carson. He says Carson told him..."Let's just go out and entertain the hell out of them." Ed McMahon was as important to Carson's Tonight Show as Carson was.
And then lastly there was Michael Jackson's death. A friend on facebook posted a link of one of Michael Jackson's videos from the Thriller era. I clicked it on, marveled at the music, the strong beat, the intensity and perfection of the trademark dancing,....and then realized, sadly, that I have actually missed Michael Jackson for a very long time. I'm sure there will be a lot of effort spent trying to understand the Michael Jackson of the last two decades, but the pop star version of Michael Jackson from my youth was absolutely incredible.
I feel a little older, and a little more nostalgic, as a result of these entertainment losses.
The libarary and some other city property were vandelized very early yesterday morning or very lat the night before. Renton's diligent blogger-in-the-streets Lady P has her first-hand observations of some of the damage, complete with detailed photos, in her blog entry Here .
I got the news initially from our mayor, who forwarded the interdepartment email shown below.
At this point the police do have some suspects. And this crime-spree will be taken very seriously, as there are some pretty high cost repairs involved. This significantly exceeds what I would normally think of as malicious mischief.
_______________________________________________
From: Gerald M Rerecich Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:03 AM To: Denis Law; Jay B Covington Cc: April Alexander; Terry Higashiyama; Leslie A Betlach; Peter Renner; Kelly Beymer; Kristine Stimpson Subject: Downtown Library/Vandalism
Good morning Mayor and Jay,
The downtown library was broken into sometime last night. Entry was made through the rear door. Police are on site and investigating the area. I do not have a complete assessment of the damage yet. The library station wagon had all of the windows broken out. Due to the investigation there may be a delay in opening at 10am.
Within Liberty Park several trees were vandalized. An exact assessment is in progress.
At the Highlands Neighborhood Center both of the Recreation Division buses and a small van suffered vandalism and are temporarily inoperable.
I will pass on additional information to you as it becomes available.
Photo: In March the Corps of Engineers briefed us on problems with the abutment of the Howard Hanson Dam
Word just came down from the Army Corps of Engineers that they will be dropping the water level behind Howard Hanson Dam due to very fast seepage through the abutment adjacent to the Dam. You can read a lot more detail on this abutment issue in my March blog on this topic here.
The new report further emphasizes the potential risk of flooding along the Green River when the rains return in the fall. All businesses and residents in the potential flood plain are encouraged to obtain flood insurance if it is at all possible.
Here is today's status from the Corp of Engineers:
___________________________________________ Engineers continue caution at Howard Hanson Dam; conservation pool levels being brought down
June 23, 2009
Contact: Casondra Brewster 206-764-6958 or Public Affairs 206-764-3750
SEATTLE - Testing in conjunction with the conservation pool rise at Howard Hanson Dam is ongoing. With the recent findings and observations at higher levels in the reservoir pool, Engineers are concerned that the right abutment is showing signs of internal erosion.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has been in the midst of testing during its traditional summertime conservation pool raise. The pool reached an elevation last week of 1,169.2 feet and engineers saw renewed reasons to believe that the abutment is still weakened.
Of particular concern is the recent dye testing that shows that water is moving through the right abutment very fast at higher pool elevations. These tests indicate that there are preferential flow paths within the natural materials of the right abutment that could lead to internal erosion within the right abutment if water is held at these higher elevations for extended periods of time.
“This phenomenon continues to be troubling,” said Mamie Brouwer, Program Manager. However, there is no visual distress of the right abutment that has been observed, she said.
Although data collected below 1,157 feet seems to stay within normal ranges, elevations going higher seem to cause more seepage and uncertain water paths through the abutment.
Therefore, the Corps of Engineers has decided to release water from the dam over the course of the next two weeks, to bring the pool level down to 1,155 feet above sea level. This operation will result in reservoir outflows that are not expected to exceed 1,200 cubic feet per second based on current weather and hydrologic forecasts, which is within established thresholds. Residents along the river will not see significant changes in the river flows over the next two weeks
Around-the-clock monitoring continues, as will other data-collection processes during the pool draft.
“We do not understand how the water is traveling through the abutment,” Brouwer said. “We know that what we may be seeing fits the traditional definition of internal erosion.”
The Seattle District’s immediate objective is preparing for the upcoming fall/winter flood season. Preparations include continuing with plans to construct an interim seepage barrier wall and improving the drainage tunnel to control seepage through the most critical part of the right abutment, and continuing to monitor the pool throughout the draft. Simultaneously, the team has initiated test borings, geotechnical modeling and analysis to support planning for a long term repair project to address seepage.
Meanwhile the Seattle District Commander, Col. Anthony O. Wright, wants the downstream community residents to know that the risk for higher flood levels is significantly increased compared to what they are typically used to, until such time as the issues with the dam’s right abutment can be resolved.
“I can’t stress enough our number one mission here is public safety,” Wright said. “We will continue to keep Green River Valley leaders and first responders informed. We ask that residents contact their community leaders and get as much information as possible on how to prepare for such a contingency.”
Wright was referring to the Corps’ efforts of working closely with King County and the downstream cities of Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila to prepare for the fall/winter flood season with the increased risk of higher-than-standard flows from the dam.
“Regardless of the possibility of increased flow rates from the dam,” said Dam Safety Program Manager, Rob Romocki, “It truly is important for the communities to understand that this is a river valley and the potential for flooding exists even when Howard Hanson Dam has full operational capacity and the levees work as they should. So, it’s easy to see the risk increasing when the dam has a lowered operational capacity.”
My wife Cathy, son Kenny, and daughter-in-law Anastasia join me in visiting the Solstice Parade.
After 25 years of living in the Seattle area, I finally braved the traffic, crowds, and stories of nakedness to help usher in the start of summer at the Fremont Solstice Parade.
I found it pretty entertaining, and worth the congested drive (the 520 bridge was closed)and the mile walk from a parking spot. We managed to stake out a good viewing spot right on 34th and Troll, a few blocks down the hill from the troll clutching a VW.
While the stories of bicyclists wearing little to nothing are all true, these were essentially a side-show, and not part of the official parade.
The parade itself featured many colorful entries, that referenced summer in many different ways. I had not realized how fancy and well-practiced some of the dancers and musical performers were going to be. Some of the floats, with their energetic musical bands and choreographed teams of feather-headdress-adorned dancers, would have been quite at home on a stage in Las Vegas.
And while I don't agree with the pastafarians and spagnostics that it is just as likely that the universe was created by a flying spaghetti monster, I found their float to be entertaining and I admire the creative way they put it together.
One of the more unique parade entries was a giant beach ball that never seemed to touch the ground once on the parade route, as experienced attendees (mostly children) all raced out in front of it, to lie down, and make a path for the ball to roll over.
More than anything, it was fun to see so many Seattle-area residents having such a great time on such a great day.
And to the Northwest summer I say this: "Thanks for finally getting here...this year we seemed to need you more than ever!"
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT MEDIA RELEASE June 20th, 2009
On 06/20/09, at app. 23:00 hours, Renton Officers responded to a complaint of a large party in the 1100 block of Eagle Lane. After units arrived in the area, they heard the sounds of multiple gunshots coming from the direction of the party, and officers saw a large number of subjects running.
Officers discovered a juvenile male with a gunshot wound to his leg. The juvenile was transported to Harborview Medical Center. His injuries did not appear to be life threatening.
A short time later, a juvenile female was admitted to Valley Medical Center with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her arm.
A twenty one year old male was arrested in connection with the incident. Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Commander David Leibman Renton Police Department Patrol Operations Division (425) 430-7573
Mayor Denis Law and I stop to chat along the long boardwalk in Renton's newest park.
With great pride I participated in the ribbon cutting of Renton's newest and largest park today. A wildlife Sanctuary that covers 130 acres, 50 percent larger than the entire Woodland Park Zoo, with a gorgeous new boardwalk trail leading visitors over its pools, swamps and fauna. The park is quickly becoming home to all forms of native northwest wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, raccoon, coyotes, beaver, frogs, turtles, salmon, eagles and great blue herons. (The park sits on two and a half times the acreage of Coulon Park, and it is over 50 percent larger than our Black River Riparian Forrest... which also provided habitat for birds and wetland creatures)
The 130 acres is actually carefully engineered and constructed habitat, that has been graded (while retaining the large existing trees), planted, and irrigated to create swamp lands, pools, and dry nesting areas for all of the animals and fauna that have been squeezed out of wetlands elsewhere in our region. Beavers, for instance, now have ponds to build their homes in, and no one will clear them out for fear of flooding.
Visitors can enjoy all of this from a highly accessible and kid-friendly board walk, made of modern splinter-less, preservative-free, composite (plastic/wood.)
This new park will become one of Renton's most precious and appreciated locations as the decades pass, since it will be permanent sanctuary for all these animals.
The park was created by Renton providing 130 acres of damp property, which was a low-quality wetland with many non-native plants, and a few buildable patches. Other jurisdictions, most notably the State Department of Transportation, then put up approximately fifteen million dollars to turn the entire property into a first class wetland in exchange for wildlife permits to fill in small wetland parcels elsewhere. Hence, we have referred to this parcel as the Springbrook Springs "Wetland Mitigation Bank", since small sub-standard wetlands (often too small for practical wildlife habitat) are combined in one large wetland "bank". But the name is too technical to describe what this jewel really is. In fact, it is a wildlife sanctuary that Renton residents will enjoy through the generations. A permanent place for the animal residents that were here before us to continue living in our midst, and with a permanent boardwalk that will allow us to observe them.
You can access the new park off of 27th, between Oaksdale in Lind Avenues, a little South of the Boeing Longacres facility.
Here are some photos from today's ribbon cutting.
Formal ribbon cutting for the new park. Department of Transportation officials helped cut the ribbon as they were a major force behind the "wetland mitigation bank" concept, and a representative from the contractor joined us as well.
Many children were on-hand for today's opening ceremonies; the students in this picture even helped with some planting and outreach activities
It's that time again! Get your big trash items out the the curb tonight, and our Waste Haulers will take it away for you tomorrow morning at no charge! So there is no excuse not to get that garage or spare room cleaned up!
Here are some photos from my neighborhood during last year's event. Can you top these piles of garbage?
As a reminder, this is stuff headed for the landfill, so don't put things out that you want to share with the needy. We had a little of this confusion last year... this is a pickup of pure junk. Also, there are a few restrictions on recyclables and large appliances. The complete rules are listed below my photos below.
But pile it up Rentonites! Waste Management is pulling in their trucks from all over Puget Sound to make our city clean, and the trucks will start rolling in about six hours from now! So stop reading the internet, and go clean up! ;-)
Renton's Solid Waste Utility returns with the popular residential curbside cleanup program.
CURBSIDE LOAD ZONE -HERE'S HOW IT WORKS - Single-family households must place their items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20th. Please have all material bagged and boxed. Furniture and other items should be grouped together. We will make one pass only along each street to load it up and haul it away.
We accept:
* Furniture, Mattresses, Box springs * Carpet (4 ft. x 4 ft sections) * Toys, Bikes, Skateboards * Styrofoam packaging blocks * Dishes, Pots, Pans, Small kitchen appliances * Small amounts of remodeling waste Wood, Drywall, Flooring, Window frames) * Tools, Garden equipment, Flower pots * Scrap metal * Large Appliances by Appointment Only 1-800-592-9995 *
We DO NOT accept: * Bags, Boxes and Branches larger than 4 ft. x 4 ft. and greater than 65 lbs * Contractor construction waste * Fluorescent light tubes * TV's, Computers, Monitors or Keyboards * Automotive body parts, Engines or Batteries * Household garbage * Lawnmowers * Yard waste * Concrete * Tiers * Household hazardous waste -Visit: ( www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal )
Renton's Neighbor-to-Neighbor Curbside Cleanup - HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS CLEAN SWEEP RENTON! This is a neighbor-to-neighbor effort. If you know someone who needs help getting their unwanted items to the curb, please give them a hand for this ONE-DAY-ONLY event
Worshipers brought animals ranging in size from less than a pound to 1000 pounds to be blessed by the pastors. In addition, some worshipers brought photos and reminders of cherished pets from their past that they wished to have blessed.
The service included songs by the children, prayers for the well-being and fair treatment of animals, and then hands-on blessings. In the pictures below you can see pastors Kirby Until and Gretchen Mertes blessing some of the many cute animals at the church that day.
My youngest son Danny enjoys the ceremony with our two dogs Dolly and Max.
Cathy stands with Zeus, the largest animal to receive a hands-on blessing that morning
Every summer we coordinate with neighborhood associations to hold community picnics. All neighborhood with a city-recognized neighborhood association are eligible to get city assistance in arranging these picnics. City officials will bring grills, tables, and hot dogs, and residents bring pot-luck side dishes. I and other elected officials will be at many of these, and it's a great time for us to get to meet and talk about anything you like.
Even if you are not in one of the neighborhoods listed below, if you chose the picnic closest to your home, and bring a pot-luck dish, I'm sure you will be warmly welcomed.
So mark your calendar for the picnic near you. And if you would like to arrange one for your neighborhood, contact Norma McQuiller at the contact information below.
Here is the picnic schedule as it stands today:
South Renton Neighborhood Association (ALREADY HELD) Thurs., 6/11, 5:30 pm Burnett Linear Park, 502 Burnett Avenue
Duvall Community Picnic * Thurs., 6/25, 5:00 pm On Duvall Avenue, Between 18th & 19th Streets
Cascade Neighborhood Association Wed., 7/8, 5:30 pm Cascade Plaza
Maplewood Gardens and Maplewood Glen Neighborhood Associations Wed., 7/15, 5:30 pm Maplewood Park, 3400 SE 6th Street
LaCrosse Homeowners Association Thurs., 7/16,6:00 pm Corner of 25th & Monterey Court NE
North Renton Neighborhood Association Wed., 7/29, 5:30 pm Jones Park,98 Wells Avenue South
Maplewood Estates Homeowners Association Thurs., 7/30,5:30 pm Neighborhood Common Area, Located at 2nd & Orcas
Talbot Hill, Victoria Hills, and Victoria Park Neighborhood Associations Thurs., 8/6, 6:00 pm Thomas Teasdale Park, 601 S. 23rd Street
Tiffany Park Neighborhood Association, Tiffany Park HOA and Ponderosa Estates Wed., 8/12, 5:30 pm Tiffany Park, 1902 Lake Youngs Way NE
Maple Ridge Estates Homeowners Association Thurs., 8/13,5:30 pm Neighborhood Common Area, NW Corner SE 156 St. & 140 Way SE
Windwood & Maureen Highlands Homeowners Association Wed., 8/19, 5:30 pm Windwood Common Area Park, Located on Rosario Street
South Union Neighborhood Association ** Thurs., 8/20, 5:30 pm Heritage Park, 233 Union Avenue NE
Renton Hill Neighborhood and Heritage Village Gardens Homeowners Association Wed., 8/26, 5:30 pm Philip Arnold Park, 720 Jones Avenue S
Rolling Hills and Steeple Chase Hills Homeowners Association Thurs., 8/27, 5:00 pm Neighborhood Common Area, Located at 1601 Rolling Hills Ave.
Kennydale Neighborhood Association Wed., 9/2, 5:00 pm Lions Park, 428 Aberdeen Ave. NE
Liberty Ridge Homeowners Association Thurs., 9/3, 6:00 pm NE 1st Street
Earlington Neighborhood Association Wed., 9/9, 5:30 pm Earlington Park, 272 Thomas Avenue SW
*Duvall Community Picnic is to thank the following neighborhoods for their patience during the closing of Duvall Avenue: Glencoe, Summerwind, Stonegate, Honey Creek Ridge, May Creek, Laurelwood and other surrounding neighborhoods.
**South Union Neighborhood Association is a newly formed neighborhood association.
If you are interested in scheduling a picnic for 2009, please email Norma McQuiller , Neighborhood Program Coordinator, or phone her at 425.430.6595.
After almost a year of closure, Duvall Avenue is nearly completed. East Renton drivers and businesses have put up with a lot, and the city wants to hold a party to celebrate a return to normalcy. The Party will actually be held on the new pavement, of the soon to be opened stretch of road.
Mark your calendar for the afternoon/evening of June 25, 5:00 - 7:30. I hope to see you there!
In response to an inquiry, the City Attorney clarified that firearms don't have to be checked at the door for city council meetings.
I don't really care one way or the other, as long as guns are only in the control of people who can legally carry them (no felons, for instance).
Lately, things have been pretty tame at meetings anyway... it's not like we push the kind of emotional buttons that one sees in family court situations.
In the past we've had some pretty wild exchanges, but still not escalating to where I would worry about gun play. There was only one time in my sixteen years on council, many years ago, that I worried that a speaker might have a gun. She was very agitated, spoke for about seven minutes in an increasingly urgent tone, and at the peak of her angry comments about her son's interaction with our police department, she reached for her bag. Several of us got ready to duck. But there was no gun, and we never saw the woman again in council.
Here is the attorney's note on the topic:
------------------------------------------- From: Larry Warren Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 9:25:59 AM To: Jay B Covington; Council Cc: Denis Law; Kevin Milosevich Subject: RE: Restricting Weapons in City Council Chambers Auto forwarded by a Rule
I have been asked about weapons in council chambers. After Renton won the case of Second Amendment Foundation v City of Renton, limiting firearms in places where liquor is sold by the drink, the legislature adopted the law and preempted cities and counties from passing firearm regulations.
The general law regulating firearms is RCW 9.41.300 and prohibits them in jails, courtrooms, mental institutions, but not in council chambers.
Please note my email address has changed to lwarren@rentonwa.gov
Daughter Katie posted this picture on Facebook tonight, which she shot a few weeks ago at the Common Ground Cafe. If you have not eaten cupcakes there yet, please drop by, wish them well with their on-going smoke cleanup, and get a cup of coffee (and cupcakes when they have them.)
