Ground was finally broken this week on a $10 million multi-use project in downtown Renton that city officials believe could be part of a rebirth to the area.
Work at the Lofts at Second and Main, a multi-use project that will add both residential and commercial space to the downtown core, began this week with a scheduled completion date of December 2016. It is the first new residential development downtown since 2008.
When completed, the project will add 101 one- two- and three-bedroom apartments totaling more than 91,000-square-feet of residential space and an additional 4,000 of commercial space at street level.
The six-story building will also include an underground parking garage for residents.
The project is being developed by the Cosmos Development Co.. The project architect is Jackson Main Architecture.
Mayor Denis Law this week called the project “critical” to the revitalization of downtown because it brings additional residential space to the core, which could mean more people in and about downtown shops and restaurants.
“We are excited that Cosmos has selected downtown Renton for its newest project, which is a vital component of our downtown revitalization plans,” Law said in a press release. “Cosmos has designed a beautiful addition to our community, which will include the first new market-rate residential project developed in our downtown core since the recession.
“The Lofts at Second and Main will not only offer important new housing opportunities and amenities for urban living, but also provide modern commercial space for new businesses to locate downtown.” he said.
Also included in the final project will be a re-alignment of the intersection at Second Street and Main Avenue that will create a more traditional, square-shaped intersection and will include a new pedestrian area in front of the former Afghan Cuisine building that burned earlier this summer. In addition, the city plans to convert Main Avenue from one-way to two-way traffic this fall.
The project has been in the pipeline for several years, gaining approval in late 2014 under the name “Renton Heritage Apartments.”
