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residents’ guide | What you need to know about Renton [Inside]
NEWSLINE: 425.255.3484 FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013
Best of Renton | It’s that time again when our readers get to pick their favorite places and things to do or experience in Renton. [BALLOT PAGE 19]
Surprise! They’re losing their home to 405 project New homeowners were not told of plans to expand the freeway through their neighborhood
Residents express library frustrations By TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
Renton residents packed Tuesday night’s King County Library System Board of Trustees’ meeting respectfully, then forcefully laying out their frustrations with renovation plans for the downtown Renton library. About 20 people, including Renton City Council member Marcie Palmer, who was representing herself, spoke out during the public comment period at the Newcastle Library. When all had spoken, the meeting broke down and audience members demanded to know the trustees’ responses to the testimonials. Then KCLS staff and trustees broke meeting protocol to answer More about design some of the questions that Page 13 were being asked of them. Some Renton residents are upset with the KCLS project team and the City of Renton for not acknowledging or representing what they feel the community wants in a renovated library over the Cedar River. Those concerns have been voiced repeatedly by the citizens group, Save the Renton Library Again!, which staged a sign-carrying protest outside the meeting. Among their biggest concerns are conceptual drawings that have been submitted to the City of Renton that show [ more library page 12 ]
Your Residential Specialists
By Brian Beckley bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
When Richard and Lori Randquist Chung first saw the house on Davis Street, they knew it was probably out of their price range but decided to look anyway. As they walked in, Richard said he and his wife were elbowing each other, reminding themselves not to fall in love with what they were seeing. But it didn’t quite work out that way. Lori and Richard Randquist Chung, seen here with Christian, 7, Ariana, 5 and Moriah, Not only was the house beautiful, 2, bought their house last year and just found out they have to move due to a long-planned it was less than one mile from their highway expansion project. Brian Beckley, Renton Reporter business, had quick access on and off the highways and had a beautiful The agent had just found out that room. It was devastating. view of Lake Washington. the home the Randquist Chungs had “We wouldn’t have purchased this “It was perfect,” Richard been in for less than a year was in house if we knew we were going to Randquist Chung said this past the way of the Interstate 405 expanbe displaced,” Lori said. week, remembering seeing his famsion project and would have to be “Nobody notified us,” Richard ily’s home for the first time. torn down, probably sooner rather said. “It completely blindsided us.” “As soon as I came in I was getting than later. But the Randquist Chungs were giddy,” Lori Randquist Chung said. The agent forwarded Richard an not the only ones surprised. It was only the second email that was sent to the “We wouldn’t have builder of a new house home they looked at, but that was it, they were sold. purchased this across the street, tellThey made an offer and by house if we knew ing him to stop building In 2002, WSDOT officials comlast summer, Richard, Lori we were going to because the freeway was pleted a master plan for all 30 miles and their three young chil- be displaced.” Lori coming through. of Interstate 405. The freeway would dren moved in and began Randquist Chung The Randquist Chungs be widened through the entire to build their life. were stunned. They length of the corridor and the interAll was well until a planned to spend the rest change between state Route 167 and Friday evening a few of their lives in their house. And in I-405 would be rebuilt. weeks ago. Richard was doing some an instant, that was gone. The interchange is a well-known shopping when his cell phone rang. WSDOT confirmed for them that, mess among engineers and planners Seeing his real estate agent’s number, yes, the freeway was coming through – and travelers. he picked up but immediately knew their neighborhood and, yes, their “It’s one of the worst interchanges something wasn’t right. house would have to come down. A in the state,” said Ross Fenton, proj“She’s crying on the phone,” he retaining wall was slated to go right said. [ more Freeway page 14 ] through what was now their living
WSDOT surprised, too
206-949-1696 info@marciemaxwell.com 744732
Eva Rochex, 6, and her sister Helen Rochex, 8, protest KCLS plans to alter the downtown Renton library Tuesday at the KCLS board meeting at the Newcastle Library. KCLS is hosting an open house March 26 in Renton. Brian Beckley, Renton Reporter