The Renton School Board recently made significant strides in its efforts to expand Renton High School by voting to proceed with acquiring additional properties through eminent domain. This decision is part of an ongoing project to acquire land for the reconstruction and expansion of the school, a process that has spanned several years.
As of last week, the district has either purchased or secured agreements to acquire 32 out of the 42 parcels located near the school. These properties, situated along Logan Avenue and Tobin Street, will be part of a large-scale project aimed at revitalizing the high school campus. However, the acquisition of remaining properties, such as the one owned by Kenneth Green, is still in progress.
Green, whose home sits directly across from the school, expressed dissatisfaction with the process. “It’s been tough on everyone,” Green said. “We all understand the need for growth, but the way things have been handled doesn’t seem fair to us.”
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While the district has been actively negotiating with property owners, including offering relocation assistance, Green voiced concerns about the initial offer he received, which he felt didn’t reflect the rising property values in the area. “The amount they want to give us just doesn’t match up with what the current market rates are, especially with new mortgage rates,” he explained.
Fred Pepper, a longtime resident, initially saw the expansion as a positive development but has since grown disillusioned. “I thought it would be a good thing at first, with the school offering compensation that would allow people to move on,” Pepper said. “But now, it’s just sad to see neighbors being forced out of the community they’ve loved for so long.”
Although the district did not address specific complaints, it did provide insight into the decision-making process behind the expansion. According to district officials, the board spent over two years searching for alternative locations before ultimately determining that the current site, with the necessary land acquisitions, was the most viable option for the new school campus.
After all necessary properties are acquired, the construction of the expanded campus will begin. The new facilities will feature updated classrooms, modern athletic fields, and enhanced infrastructure. The district also highlighted the support of local voters, who approved a 2022 ballot measure that allocated funding for the expansion project.
Despite his understanding that relocation is inevitable, Green remains frustrated by what he considers an unfair offer. Having lived in his home for over two decades, Green had planned to retire there and even hoped to renovate the property. “Now, my youngest child, who’s in eighth grade, might not even attend Renton High School, because we might not be here,” Green said. “It’s disheartening for my daughter too, especially in her senior year. She had so many plans, and now it feels like they’ve been taken away.”
As the district moves forward with its expansion plans, residents like Green continue to grapple with the emotional and financial challenges of relocating. The district has vowed to provide support and fair compensation, but for some homeowners, the changes represent a difficult farewell to a beloved neighborhood.
