If money were no object, what’s one thing you would do to fix Renton?”
That’s exactly what I asked a few locals this month after reading a similar question posed in the Seattle Magazine.
I knew Rentonites with our passion could at the very least generate some thought-provoking ideas.
I invite readers to continue the dialogue by contributing their “two cents.”
Carolyn Ossorio
Renton: Gaming capital of the world
With unlimited funds, the one thing I would do is make Renton the global capital of the game industry. This, of course, would require a few steps.
First, we would ask every educational institution in the city what they need to become world class and then give it to them. This would allow us to generate the home grown creative and technological talent needed for the game industry to flourish and make Renton attractive for game industry parents.
Next, we’d build a public transit system that efficiently linked Renton to every nearby city to take advantage of the resources from around the area. Public trains would offer free board, card and digital games to encourage networking. Through city incentives, we would encourage other game companies from around the world to set up HQ in Renton. All this would be enough to create a self-sustaining virtuous circle in which the city could invest to improve the quality of life for inhabitants which in turn would attract more good game workers and even more successful taxpaying and job creating companies. Serious gamers at heart are social, generous and community oriented.
As the game industry grows in Renton, more and more citizen time and talent would be available to help solve the city’s social challenges. Soon all providers of social services would have the capacity to meet the needs of all residents. Politicians would be required to participate in a regular Dungeons & Dragons game group to ensure they developed the co-operation skills necessary to keep moving Renton forward.
Lastly, any business or administrative leaders would have to prove their intellectual competence by competing successfully in Magic: The Gathering matches with Wizards employees.
Greg Leeds, president, Wizards of the Coast
A vibrant downtown that charms
I would create a vibrant downtown with shops as diverse as its citizens. I see art, clothing, break dancing, live music four or five days/nights a week, a magic store, jewelry, clothes, good food.
I see little kids enjoying jaw breakers and smiling faces.
Painted murals by a local artist, a community garden that all can walk through and lend a hand.
The downtown core is developed and restored. A place where the community goes, because of its charm. The community likes what’s happening and there’s always something going on.
Cheryl Danza, owner, CD Danza Salon & Spa
Pay for our kids’ education
IF money were no object, I would focus on the education system as I believe a well-educated population would help address many of society’s long-standing issues and improve society for everyone. I would start with half-day pre-k programs at 3 years old, increase to full-day programs at kindergarten and continue the focus through either college or trade school, whichever best fits the individual child’s aptitude. I would ensure every child has a balanced and healthy breakfast and lunch so they can be ready to learn.
Education would be fully funded for all children through either their college bachelor degree or completion of a trade skill and each child would have an individual learning plan that teaches to the way the child learns best. The school day would become longer by two hours and the school year would be year round, with a two-week break after each quarter.
Class sizes would be reduced to a maximum of 16 students per class, with each classroom having a teacher and a teacher-in-training. Specialists would augment the classroom teacher. Teacher pay would be a competitive base salary with performance incentives that reward learning results. Would operate a PR campaign to make a career in education attractive to many more people.
The curriculum would have a heavy math, science and writing emphasis, but music, arts and sports would not be left out so as to create a well rounded individual. Spanish and Chinese language education would begin in the pre-k classroom. The school curriculum would be designed to encourage critical and creative thinking in order to develop problem- solving skills where mistakes and errors are celebrated as much, if not more, than “getting the right answer.”
Jerry Kavesh, owner, Renton Western Wear
Make Cedar a backdrop to stores
I would purchase all the houses along the Cedar River and make a shopping district with the ideas Kent and the Landing have done. All the buildings facing the river would have the large glass windows/doors that open like sliding-glass doors.
I would also have a River Tram (sky ride) up and down the river making stops at each shop/restaurant.
Charles G. Divelbiss, owner, St. Charles Place Antiques and Restoration
A magical solution for downtown
Back when I was in high school many years ago we had a real downtown. Talk to all the oldies who gathered at the Robert’s corner. Talk to Jerry at Renton Western Wear. Charles Divelbiss. We’ve been doing this for 30 years. Where’s the progress????
I would think up some magical solution to revitalize old downtown Renton!!!
Norma Cugini, community leader
Renton triumphs over gravity
If funding was without limits, I would bring a theme park to Renton on the scale of Six Flags. The park would be dedicated to man’s triumph over gravity through aviation. There would be antique planes to see, a huge I-Max theater with spectacular documentary films revolving around aeronautical adventures. This could be associated with an enlarged and revamped Aeronautical Museum.
There would be exciting rides to attract old and young with all the family friendly services of a typical amusement park. Perhaps it could be located in the Highlands or incorporated with Gene Coulon Park. Renton could become the “City of Airplanes” with attractions scattered about the area. (There’s nothing plain about the city of airplanes!) Scheduled air shows would be at the Renton Airport, which would have a top pilot’s school – THE destination to learn how to fly.
With unlimited funding, there would be a huge advertising budget to draw people here from all over the world. Many jobs would open up, and the stores downtown would soon be re-furbished and occupied with boutiques and restaurants and bed and breakfasts to support the influx of tourism. The Landing would have the upscale shops and Landing condos – something like a Hilton or Marriott resort. There would be a unique landmark – perhaps on one of the hills – that could be seen from the sky – something like a huge airplane that gives a brand mark for Renton.
Jaris English, Renton arts commissioner, Lynda Maybury, senior director, online marketing, Parallels
Get people moving
If money were no object the one thing I would do for Renton is bring light rail to all of South King County with a special emphasis on the 405/167 corridor. I would also complete the expansion of 405 between Renton and Bellevue. Both of these projects are vital to Renton’s economic future because of the impact they have on our ability to move around people and goods. While our neighboring city to the north grabs all the headlines for its struggles with transportation, the residents in Renton and South King County struggle everyday with a transportation system that would be perfect if our population growth were at 1990 levels, but with South King County and Renton growing faster than expected, our transportation system doesn’t meet our needs.
Throughout my campaign, I spoke with many citizens who work in south/east King County and the message was clear: People want to be able to get to work and home with minimal hassle. I recently spoke with someone who lives in the Renton Highlands and works in Totem Lake, and what should be a 20- minute commute often takes close to an hour. If this same person wanted to take public transportation it would take her three hours and two bus transfers!
My blank check to Renton would provide every frustrated commuter or mover of goods a sense of relief that they would be able to get to their families and jobs with far more efficiency.
Ed Prince, Renton City Council member
Offer interest-free loans to businesses
Thank you for thinking of me; I would be honored to add a cent or two. I love Renton, its quirkiness, loyalty and the committed city government itself. It is just a great place, in a great place.
If I had an open checkbook, I would offer interest-free loans and/or subsidize the rent to small businesses in order to give them an opportunity to open in the downtown corridor. Our downtown has so much potential and many vacant spaces. We simply need to attract more unique small businesses to fill those voids and bring more traffic to our downtown. In this uncertain economy entrepreneurs need a little something extra on the support side. After all you have to invest money to make money.
David Israel, operations director, POP! Gourmet Popcorn Co.
Provide our children with a future
What a great opportunity to dream about what you could do if money was no object, especially during the worst financial period we’ve experienced since the Great Depression.
If money was no object, I would make sure that every child in our community had access to a quality education and successful future by making sure that their basic needs of housing, food, clothing, healthcare and parental support, (with adult mentors if needed), was being met.
Denis Law, mayor, City of Renton
