City of Renton, WA
08/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/12/2024 15:22
The city receives twelfth Governor's Smart Communities Award for Sunset Gardens apartments
Media Contacts
Laura Pettitt, Communications & Engagement Director
Gina Estep, Community & Economic Development Administrator
City of Renton receives twelfth Governor's Smart Communities Awards for Sunset Gardens apartments
Community and Economic Development Department recognized for innovative approach to Sunset Gardens, successful joint public housing project redevelopment Renton's Sunset Neighborhood
RENTON, WA (August 12, 2024) - Earlier today, the Washington State Department of Commerce announced the City of Renton's Community and Economic Development Department would receive its twelfth Governor's Smart Communities Awards in recognition of the Sunset Gardens Apartments completed in April 2024.
The Governor's Smart Communities Awards recognize achievements by local governments and their partners. These programs promote thoughtful growth planning and projects that contribute to thriving communities, a prosperous economy, and sustainable infrastructure.
Sunset Gardens received the Smart Partnership Award, recognizing a successful joint public project that supports a comprehensive plan.
Sunset Gardens is a four-story mixed-use building that comprises 76 affordable apartment units for veterans, persons with disabilities, and seniors who earn less than 50% of the area's median income. In addition, Sunset Gardens is the new location for the Renton Housing Authority Administrative offices. The infill project was made possible by a collaborative private and public partnership with the Renton Housing Authority, the City of Renton, JP Morgan Chase Bank, King County, and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Construction commenced in June 2022 and was completed in April 2024.
Sunset Gardens is the first project in Renton to utilize funding from House Bill 1590, which allowed local jurisdictions to use revenue from a sales-and-use tax increase to fund affordable housing. In addition to a $1.77 million "Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program" (CHIP) grant from the Department of Commerce.
"Over the past 15 years, the city has worked with Renton Housing Authority, Renton School District, and numerous other public and private partners to revitalize the Sunset Area. The city and our partners have collaborated on several projects, including four affordable housing rental projects, a new library, a new accessible playground, a 3-acre neighborhood park, and various neighborhood infrastructure projects, including a regional stormwater facility, road and utility upgrades, and additional park improvements," stated City of Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone.
To date, more than $150 million in federal, state, city, and county funds have been invested in completed Sunset Area projects. This public investment has drawn the attention of private investors, resulting in 600-plus new market-rate and affordable units and new commercial development, which will become available and open over the next six months.
A ribbon cutting for Sunset Gardens will be held later this year. The Governor's Smart Communities Award will be presented to the mayor and council at Renton City Council meeting later this fall.
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About City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 108,800 (2024), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace, and favorable business climate have attracted nationally recognized companies wishing to provide employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, Super Bowl Champion (2014) Seattle Seahawks, two-time (2016 & 2019) MLS champion and CONCACAF Champion (2022) Seattle Sounders FC (in 2024), and the eternal resting place of rock icon Jimi Hendrix. You can find more information on our website, news releases, Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
About Governor's Smart Communities Awards
The Governor's Smart Communities Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of local communities and their partners throughout the state to create vibrant and livable communities. These efforts align with the goals of the state's Growth Management Act and other community development objectives. The Department of Commerce administers the awards program. Since 2006, the awards have recognized the exceptional planning efforts of local governments. These efforts significantly enriched communities in job growth, economic development, housing affordability, homelessness, parks and recreation, transportation, and subarea development. These achievements are outstanding models for Washington's local governments.