We all love downtown Renton. Right? We want Renton to continue the small-town feeling. Right? We want downtown Renton to continue to thrive. Right? We want to support small businesses. Right? Then please shop or dine or drink or exercise there.

We can market also that we have antique row.

We can label that area the Old Renton. That would be cute attraction.

There are many benefits of patronizing Old Renton (downtown Renton). We save gas money by walking to Old Renton. It is cheaper to support local farmers and artisans because we don’t have to pay for global transportation expenses and they are more fresh and real and unique. We can support local Renton people. We support the wonderful and convenient Renton Transit Center and security people. We can continue. It is perfect for people who prefer not to drive by walking to Old Renton. We get free exercise.

And now that the downtown Value Village store has vacated, why not ask Trader Joe to set up the store there? The space is perfect and it’s in downtown Renton. Don’t need to build a new building. Recycle the building for new use.

Lastly we already have train tracks running through downtown renton, so why not save money by installing a commuter train there? Do not need to build Sound Transit tracks! We need to recycle the train tracks that we already have. It is so so ready and sitting very ready for us. It would help lure people to train to downtown Renton and shop or dine or drink (not needed designated drivers). The train can stop in different downtown Renton areas: Fred Meyer, downtown renton, library, Trader Joe’s and The Landing.

And take the train to connect to Sound Transit line to transfer to go to downtown Seattle.

We could be dubbed the most recyclable small town.

Let’s that be a win win solution.

Let’s root for Old Renton!

Karen Stueland

A loyal downtown Renton resident