Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Last night the issue of keeping Vista Field in Kennewick open for air traffic or close it and use it for future development, came down to the vote – and the vote was YES – Keep it Open!  So the private airport will continue to be open for public use, and also as an alternative for emergency landings, training of pilots and for use if the fog closes the Pasco or Richland airports, because Vista Field sits on high ground.  So now the issue is closed and we can all get back to other development possibilities for the city of Kennewick.

March 4, 2010:  2010 Mid-Columbia Literary Festival, 7:00 pm HUB Main Stage, Columbia Basin College in Pasco. Featuring Jess Walter and Pete Fromm.  (509) 542-5531 for more info

March 9 & 23, 2010:  Wine Tasting – Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant, 5:00 pm, 1026 Lee Blvd, Richland.  (509) 946-4525 for more info.

March 10, 2010:  Quattrocelli – Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities present an ensemble of 4 cellists. 7:30 pm at 1800 N Rd 72, Pasco. (509) 547-6243 for more info.

March 11, 2010: Wayman Chapman, jazz and blues performance, 6 pm – 9 pm, Bookwalter Winery, 894 Tulip Lane, Richland. (509) 927-5000 for more info.

March 13, 2010: Romagossa Blu:  6 pm – 9 pm, Bookwalter Winery, 894 Tulip Lane, Richland. (509) 927-5000 for more info.

March 18, 2010:  Eleanor Roosevelt-No Ordinary Woman: 7pm CBC HUB Main Stage, Pasco. (509) 542-5531 for more info

March 20, 2010:  Mid-Columbia Symphony Concert exhibition, 8 p.m. Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick (509) 732-3722 for more info.

March 26, 2010:  27th Annual Quilt Show & Merchant Mall, 10 am – 6 pm, Three Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, (509) 539-0422 for more info.

March 26-27, 2010:  Custer’s Spring Arts & Craft Show 2010, TRAC facility in Pasco, starts at 10 am each day. (509) 924-0588 for more info.

The national housing market is on a rebound and experts believe that a recovery is in gear for 2010, say key speakers at the Regional Economic Outlook forum held recently at the TRAC in Pasco.

Several local experts are optimistic and they believe the Tri-Cities ongoing growth will be based on non-Hanford related industries. Healthcare, with all three of the Tri City hospitals investing in newer facilities, are strong employers who are creating more jobs as they grow, and with an aging population moving into the area for retirement reasons also helps with the growth in the heathcare industry.

Population growth and a stable economy has assisted in stabilizing the local housing market and the trend appears to be going to continue for the foreseeable future, according to the Tri City Association of Realtors.

WSU President Lane Rawlins believes that the continued economic success here rides on economic diversification, continued growth in agriculture and making investments in education and transportation.

While 2008 was a forgettable year in real estate, 2009 proved to be a year of hope and optimism here in the Tri Cities. The stimulus money that came into the Hanford area created a boost to the market and additionally, so did the 1st time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

The tax credit really brought more people to the closing table and because there was a deadline of the end of the year, buyers really began to hit the pavement with their searches. The credit has now been extended to April, which should keep the home builders busy and the sales of homes strong through the first half of the year at least.

There was an 11 percent increase in home sales in 2009 and a 6.7 percent jump in new home starts for the year. Pasco led with a 17 percent increase in housing starts, with Kennewick up to 13 percent, Richland saw a drop of about 4 percent, as did West Richland with a drop of 9.2 percent.

Local builders believe that these numbers are a positive sign that the housing market and local economy here in the Tri Cities is good and that the trend will continue into 2010. We believe the Tri Cities will continue to be one of the nation’s leading markets for real estate and a stable economy.

A Florida man who has family here in Pasco is taking the steps to further a proposal of a 27 acre water park located in West Pasco. He is moving forward and talking with Pasco officials about building the water with slides, a wave pool, swimming pool, surf pool, and family fun center along Sandifur Parkway.

His plans also go as far as adding a go-kart track and picnic park near the Broadmoor Outlet Mall as well.  Some proposals he has submitted are outside of current standards for the area and will need to be covered at the public hearing at 7 pm thursday 1/21 at Pasco City Hall.  If you have interest or opposition to this proposed water park, attend the meeting at the Council Chambers.