The city of Renton is hiring a new security service to monitor the City Center Parking Garage.

At their May 12 meeting, the Renton City Council approved an agreement with Pacific Security for the security of the city’s public parking garage on S. 2nd Street. Pacific Security was selected as the lowest qualified bidder at $263,868.62. The new one-year contract will provide full building security inside and outside of the downtown parking garage with coverage from Sunday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

According to the agenda bill, the city determined the parking garage was in need of security in May 2022 to help provide improved public safety and reduce illegal activity in and around the facility.

DWR Security, doing business as Pono Security, was selected to provide security services, but while using the provider, there were several unreported security events, including failure to respond or report an arson event and an incident involving suicide, according to the city. The bill also said there have been incidents of security officers using unmarked personal vehicles for security patrols and inappropriate attire worn while on duty.

Renton facilities director Jeff Minisci said the primary issues reported in the parking deck have been drug use and vandalism.

“The city determined that additional security was necessary for the City Center Parking Garage due to ongoing public safety issues that deterred people from using the garage,” Minisci said.

Per the contract, the Pacific Security patrol will submit daily reports to appointed city representatives, wear clearly-identified professional attire and drive clearly-identified vehicles. Unarmed security will observe and report on all illegal activity while patrolling inside and outside the parking garage, and call 911 to report to police when necessary.

Minisci said the city is also looking to reduce crime and improve safety at the garage with enhanced daily custodial services and securing key access points within the facility.

“The city plans to further activate the downtown area by pursuing tenants to occupy the vacant east and west wings of the parking garage,” Minisci said. “Filling these spaces will increase foot traffic and community presence.”

Minisci said a secure and well-maintained parking environment encourages greater use of the facility which supports nearby businesses and strengthens the overall vitality of the downtown area. He said the visible security measures also help create “a more welcoming and accessible atmosphere.”