Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

A Steptoe, as defined as “a hill or mountain that projects like an island above a surrounding lava field” in some ways describes Steptoe Street in Kennewick, and of course in some ways does not – mainly that whole lava field part.  Nonetheless, Steptoe Street has officially begun it’s expansion southward towards Clearwater Avenue as of Tuesday when the groundbreaking was held. This southbound expansion will initially cover some hilly terrain, winding along 1.1 miles as it reaches North Center Parkway.  The second phase will take it upwards to Clearwater Avenue, and the final phase of expansion is to take it all the way to the Southridge area, once again heading up and over the southernly hills.

The hope for this expansion is that it will alleviate congestion on both Leslie Road and Columbia Center Blvd. and additionally allow for greater economic development with transportation flow being a key for sustained growth in Kennewick. This project is currently slated for completion in late summer.

Riggle Plumbing of 4727 W Clearwater in Kennewick is performing a commerical remodel project, $7,000.

The Noel Corporation of 2525 W Hopkins in Pasco, is performing a commercial reroofing project, $7,976.00

Columbia Center North of 2602 N. Columbia Center Blvd in Kennewick, will be performing a commercial remodel project, $195,000.

Catholic Family & Child Services at 2146 W Van Giesen Street in Richland, will be performing a commercial remodel, $100,000.

Goodwill Industries at 2000 Wellhouse Loop in Richland, will be performing a commerical remodel, $10,000.

Tri-Cities LLC at 1100 Jadwin Avenue in Richland will be performing a commerical remodel, $10,500.

Paul & Diane Santillie of Kennewick, who made such a wonderful success of their pasta and sauce business, Pasta Mama’s, are back in business after a 16 year absence. Their story is one of triumph and tragedy. They developed the pasta business and became outstanding small business leaders in the state of Washington. Then tragedy struck on what was supposed to be a celebration of Paul’s 50th birthday – a hot air balloon ride that no one living in the Tri Cities could forget. The result was Paul being paralyzed, the business failure due to the accident and finally, bankruptcy and loss of everything.  But like the Phoenix, the Santillie’s are rising again. They most recently signed a lease on a building on North Columbia Center Blvd where they will have a manufacturing area, a retail shop, a restaurant and a garment printing business.  Lots of their former vendors, customers and business associates have been encouraging them and keeping in contact over the years, and were delighted to hear the news that Pasta Mama’s is Back!  We wish them the very best in their endeavor.

As long as this writer has lived in the Tri Cities (40+ years) there has been a fuss about not having enough restaurants, and granted, there have been many more added in the last few years as our population has increased, but I was delighted to see that 4 new restaurants will be opening shortly here with 3 in Kennewick and 1 in Richland.

Local residents and some out-of-towners are investing in the Tri Cities with these new dining ventures.  A casual restuarant called “Hot Wingz” on Columbia Center Blvd at Deschutes  in Kennewick opens today.  On Clearwater Avenue, “Six Degrees” will open in February with a menu of  All American comfort food and a rock themed atmosphere and lots of memorabilia.  Their open is to make the fun-filled, energetic facility competitve with chain restaurants. “New York Ritchie’s” will open a new store in late February also along Clearwater Avenue in Kennewick. The fare includes pizza and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.  Richland will be home a new destination restaurant at 255 Williams with anticipated opening date of mid-March.

Dining out can have a whole new feel with these new restaurants and we should all make them feel welcome by patronizing their new ventures!