Welcome to Downtown!

Are you looking for a way to get involved in your community? Do you love historic buildings and supporting local businesses? Would you like to help create a beautiful and thriving downtown Renton?

If so, you could be a perfect volunteer for one of our standing committees! Based upon the Main Street 4-Point Approach, the Renton Downtown Partnership has four committees: Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Organization.

The Design Committee takes the lead on developing space by leveraging built history. They are responsible for educating others about good design, providing good design advice, guiding the growth of downtown, and motivating others to make changes. Some of their current projects include working on a downtown property survey with photos, conducting an exterior light audit, and offering signage help to downtown businesses.

Likely volunteer candidates for this committee could be: 

  • Architects or Architecture Students
  • Contractors or Real Estate Agents
  • Downtown Property Owners
  • City Planners
  • Interior Designers and Florists
  • Graphic Designers and Artists
  • Historic Preservation Professionals or History Buffs

The Promotion Committee takes the lead on developing markets by leveraging cultural history. They are responsible for understanding the changing market, identifying downtown assets, defining our market niche, and creating a new image for downtown Renton. Some current projects include organizing and promoting downtown events such as First Fridays, putting out the What’s Happening Downtown weekend email, and planning for larger yearly events like Small Business Saturday.

Likely volunteer candidates for this committee could be:

  • Downtown Merchants and Employees
  • Civic Groups involved in the arts
  • School Board Members
  • Marketing/Advertising Professionals
  • Teachers of Marketing or Design
  • Graphic Designers and Artists
  • Staff in Advertising or Tourism Offices

The Economic Vitality Committee takes the lead of developing businesses by leveraging entrepreneurs. They are responsible for building entrepreneurial economies, strengthening business, finding new uses for old buildings, developing businesses, and monitoring the economic performance of the downtown. Current projects include reestablishing the block captain system, creating a Welcome Packet for new businesses, and compiling a listing of currently leasing spaces in downtown.

Likely volunteer candidates for this committee could be:

  • Merchants or Downtown Property Owners
  • Realtors/Mortgage Brokers or Developers
  • Marketing Professionals and Teachers
  • Stock Brokers or Bankers
  • Business Students
  • City Economic Development Staff
  • Historic Preservation Professionals

The Organization Committee takes the lead on developing partners by leveraging an engaged public. They are responsible for raising money, overseeing volunteer activities, promoting the program, and managing finances. Some of their current projects include fundraising and organizing an event featuring demonstrations by downtown merchants.

Likely volunteer candidates for this committee could be:

  • Downtown Merchants or Property Owners
  • Media Representatives
  • Volunteer Specialists
  • Civic Group Volunteers
  • Accountants

 

Any of the above mentioned professional experience would be beneficial, but all that is required to join is a helpful and enthusiastic attitude! If any of these committees sound interesting to you, we would love to have you join in our mission to create a welcoming, beautiful, and prosperous downtown Renton! 

As a committee member, some things you would be expected to do are:

  • Commit to and participate in monthly committee meetings (held virtually for now)
  • Volunteer 3-5 hours of your time per month outside of hour long committee meetings
  • Learn about the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization

You can get in touch with us to volunteer by emailing [email protected] or by filling out our online volunteer form.