Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

The City of Richland mailed survey invitations in early summer to 1945 residences elected at random from the city’s utility list; 223 completed the survey. Here are selected responses; complete results are available on the city’s website at www.ci.richland.wa.us.

Safety:

• 99% of respondents feel very safe or somewhat safe in their neighborhoods during the daytime
• 95% feel very safe or somewhat safe in their neighborhoods after dark
• 93% feel very safe or somewhat safe in Richland parks

Information:

• 84% of respondents consider themselves informed about the City of Richland programs/services
• 56% feel informed about City Council decisions
• 41% say they are informed about City Council’s long-range plan

Respondents identified
    The three most serious challenges facing Richland:

1. Traffic flow, street repairs, road conditions
2. Code enforcement, neighborhood decay, community appearance of older residential and commercial areas.
3. Crimes, drugs, gangs, graffiti

    The three most desirable things about living in Richland:

1. Parks, trails, riverfront access, recreation opportunities
2. Small town, family-friendly atmosphere
3. Low crime rate, safety

    The three least desirable things about living in Richland:

1. Lack of restaurants, cultural facilities, businesses, activities
2. Traffic issues, including lack of or synchronization of traffic lights
3. Neighborhood decay, poor code enforcement, appearance of Uptown Shopping Center

Note: Although residents cite the low crime rate and safety as a desirable trait, many recognize that illegal drug use, related crimes, gangs and graffiti are increasingly becoming a challenge.

HPM Corporation of Kennewick has recceived a five-year $24M deal to help NASA with occupational health issues, making sure that astronauts are healthy before they head into space.

Infinia Thinks Golbal, Acts Local.  Infinia of Kennewick is nearing completion of their new 30,000 sf production facility, where more than 100 workers will be starting commerical production of Infinia’s 3kw stirling solar power generator. Looking at markets from Europe, to Asia to the United States southwest region, they hope to produce up to 60,000 of these units a year, starting early next year.

Ridges to Rivers Public Workshops. An effort to expand and enhance the open space networks of the Tri-Cities is currently underway. Public Workshops will be held on Nov 13 and 20th. Events organizers are seeking ideas and feedback about regional open space. The project is sponsored by Tapteal Greenway Association.

PixelSoft Films Produces Hometown Legacy.  PixelSoft Films of Kennewick is an award-winning multimedia firm specializing in Web development, Advertising, Graphic design, Interactive CDs/DVDs, 3D modeling and animation. They also offer High-Definition video, Digital Photography, and customized programming. PixelSoft Films has been developing exceptional creative content for an extensive list of clients across the globe. Some notable projects include TV shows like Northwest Journeys and Hometown Legacy, a story about Prosser football.

There are a lot of things to do in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco and West Richland. This links to the Calender of Events from the Visitor and Convention Bureau.

http://www.visittri-cities.com/index.cfm?regid=%23%2F0%20%22%0A&fwnavid=%23%2F0%3C%2A%0A&navMode=%28%3FT%3D%3A%28Y%3EJ%3B1%5C%20%0A

Distinctive Properties, Inc.

The cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland; along with the Ports of Benton, Kennewick, and Pasco; and the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau have commissioned a follow-up study of the Tri-Cities area river shores. The study will provide recommendations on how to best manage this important community resource.

The first study was developed by the Waterfront Center in 1997 and addressed issues that were viewed as insurmountable at the time. Some of the recommendations included the lighting of the Cable Bridge, the lowering of the levies, the improvement of the existing trail sytem and our local parks. Fast forward to 2008 and there are multiple sucess stories of what can be accomplished with community-wide cooperation and determination. In fact nearly all of the recommendations from the 1997 study have been competed which necessitates a new goal setting session for the community.

The 2008 Waterfront Center Study is close to complete and included a fact finding site visit of area river shores and our surroundings community, a group facilitation session of the Tri-Cities Rivershore Enhancemant Council, several meeting with community leaders and stakeholders, and community input session.

A written reort is expected back in early December.

TRI-CITIES, Washington.– A recent study has found the cost of living in the Tri-Cities is much lower than other cities in the state of Washington.

The study released by TRIDEC (Tri-City Development Council) found it’s about 11% less than the rest of the country.

Leaders with TRIDEC survey certain items pertaining to transporation, housing, utilities, and health care in our community.

Then that data gets added into a database model.

While our market here in the Tri-Cities has slowed very little in this economic upheavel, there are still steps to be taken to best show off your home to potential buyers.  Attention to detail can mean the difference between a house that’s sold and one that lingers on the market. Here are some home staging tips:

• Allow at least 3 feet of space so potential buyers can walk around freely.
• Leave no more that two kitchen appliances on your counters.
• Remove area rugs on top of carpets.
• Take all papers and photos off refrigerator.
• Turn on all lights during a showing, even if it’s during the day, and make sure shades or blinds are open.
• Avoid cooking a few hours before a showing.
• Put out fresh flowers to make your home feel inviting.
• Hide bills rather than leaving then out in a tray or organizer, and stash cleaning supplies.