Renton Without Boeing Should Keep On Going

RENTON, WA-For months, rumors have been taking off and landing around Boeing’s commercial airplane plant here — rumors that these operations could someday end up being moved further north to Everett. But, unlike the early 1990′s — when the aerospace giant hoisted several thousand Renton employees and relocated them to Everett—the city is more prepared.

The 1993 move busted the chops of Renton’s tax base and blew its office market out to a 40% vacancy rate. Thus far, Boeing has insisted there are no plans for a similar move. But, with tens of thousands of layoffs now pending, the 1993 memory remains crystal clear for Renton. And since, the city has been working diligently to take itself out of harm’s way in the event of a repeat.

Eight years ago Renton’s civic and business leadership recognized the need for a wider diversity of industry. Since, it has been wooing new retailers, office tenants and higher-density residential development. After 1993, the city acquired five acres of downtown property, which was redeveloped to land key retailers–Ikea home furnishings, Fred Meyer, Wal-Mart and Home Base.