The city of Renton was presented with the Department of Commerce Governor’s Smart Communities Award for Sartori Elementary School, and the project’s work for achieving Renton’s vision of making city center and downtown as an urban center, at the Aug. 6 Renton City Council Meeting.

“This award highlights the commitment of the state and the city towards preserving quality of life for its citizens,” John Flanagan, a member of the governor’s office, said at the meeting.

Flanagan said this award celebrated the city, Renton School District, and the district Board of Directors, who collaborated to build the new elementary school.

“It supports high density and further urban infill,” he said. “This project has the potential to further encourage development in the downtown area.”

The award presentation also noted the buildings importance in a historic area and the fact that the project held multiple opportunities for residents to weigh in on the project, which led to a safer and more walkable campus.

”In this case the people making decisions did an exemplary job of listening to the public and we thank you for that,” Flanagan said on behalf of the governor’s office.

Conversations about Sartori Elementary School with the public will continue as it’s first year begins in September, Superintendent Damien Pattenaude said in a recent interview.

Pattenaude said they’re heard from parents whose children did and didn’t get into the elementary school asking about what the future of STEM programs will look like in the rest of the district.

“I think its really opened up a conversation for us to engage in. What will be one of the big priorities of 2018-19 is beginning to have those conversations,” he said.

Sartori’s opening is impacting all of the elementary schools, so Pattenaude said right now their focus will be on communicating with parents and hearing what their needs are.

Flanagan said judges for the award said they loved the plan of the elementary school and commented that the city and Renton schools were really doing it right.

Members of the district, board and council enjoyed a celebration in honor of the award after the city council meeting.