July 11, 2000

In August, Renton will start building $3M transit center

Another step in the renewal of downtown Renton is set to begin in August with construction of the new $2.8 million to $3.2 million Renton Transit Center at Burnett Avenue South, between South Second and Third streets.

Design of the new center was done in cooperation with other private and public projects in the city's downtown.

Designed by Merritt + Pardini Architects of Seattle, the joint King County/city of Renton project will include 7,500 square feet of covered, craftsman-style passenger areas with metal roofing. Colored concrete and pavers will designate passenger loading zones, and new lighting, landscaping and custom signage will replace existing features.

Construction will include the new transit center and associated improvements including parking lots, plaza areas and intersections. Existing transit shelters and driver comfort stations will be removed, along with streetlights, traffic signals, asphalt concrete pavement, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. A clock tower will be relocated.

Design of the Renton Transit Center was done in cooperation with other public and private projects in the downtown area, including Dally Homes' recently completed mixed-use development, The Renaissance, and the city's Piazza located on Third Street between Burnett and Logan avenues.

Because of concerns about parking, King County has arranged to lease 150 parking spaces in another Dally Homes' development across the street from the transit center. As a Transportation Oriented Development, the project will feature two stories of parking with 90 mixed-income units above.

Demolition at the site is set to begin this month.

King County Professional and Construction Services is accepting sealed bids for construction of the Renton Transit Center until July 31. Work is set to begin in August and expected to take about six months to complete.

For more information contact Crystal Graham, contract specialist, at (206) 684-1270.