Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

The Bridge-to-Bridge/River-to-Rail riverfront makeover project has unanimously brought the City of Kennewick and Port of Kennewick commissioners together in a spirit of cooperation, thus allowing them to begin the process of creating the vision and planning for the future development of Kennewick’s rivershore. The Port of Kennewick has added many upgrades to the Clover Island area and that will feed into future plans. Both agencies also agreed to work together on how development should proceed for the Vista Field Airport and the adjacent Three Rivers Entertainment District. All of these improvements will add much to the economic stability of the Downtown Kennewick area with upscale real estate developments, tourism, business growth and recreational activities.

The Kennewick-based company, TiSport, is making a move to Pasco soon and will occupy the former Food Pavillion off Court Street. TiSport is a company that manufactures titanium athletic equipment and titanium wheelchairs. The company is a spin-off from Sandvik Metals, has about 120 employees, and are currently are housed at the Port of Kennewick Oak Street Industrial park; however, they are cramped for room and this new facility will afford them about 67,000 square feet which is 27,000 more than their current location.

Local CEO’s and Community Business Leaders will come together with members of the Young Professionals of Tri-Cities in a charity softball game Thursday May 27th at GESA Stadium in Pasco, with the game being promoted as “The Battle of the Ages”.   Employees from Infinia Corporation and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce comprise both teams, with a few extra local business leaders making up the “Suits Team”.  The game starts at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $10 & $15.  The ticket proceeds will benefit the Greater Tri-Cities YMCA and are available at the locations below:

• TRIDEC Office – 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd in Kennewick 
• YMCA – 1234 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, and
• GESA Stadium in Pasco

Creating an environment of cooperation among the 4 cities that encompass the Tri-Cities is the theme that local officials want to encourage, as they addressed the group that attended the 8th annual State of the Cities meeting on Wednesday, at the Tri City Regional Chamber of Commerce offices. Growth of the cities has put our area on the map, so to speak and each individual city has outlined the projects that they feel will add to the growth while benefiting it’s citizenry.

Richland has plans of widening Keene Road from Queensgate to West Richland, and adding a spray park to the Badger Mountain Community Park along Keene. They will also work in cooperation with Kennewick to reconstruct Steptoe Street and make a decision about the future location of the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center, among other projects.

Pasco, Kennewick and Richland will work in partnership on the studying the best location for the next bridge crossing the Columbia River.

Pasco officials and the Port of Pasco are looking into the development of the river shoreline east of the cable bridge, additional infrastructure as a support of future growth and industrialization, a $9 million water treatment facility, and the creation of a new overpass at Lewis Street.

Kennewick officials are looking for increased private development of the Vista Entertainment District and to the development of the Southridge area, which they expect will include 60% of the cities future growth.  The city is planning the Bridge-to-Bridge, River-to-Rail effort with the Port of Kennewick, which consists of a major overhaul of the property that lies between the blue and cable bridges.

West Richland is looking to expand the economic base and expand infrastructure between Red and Badger Mountains, and invest in tourism with regards to the wine industry as a way to add to the regional vision, and increase growth in that community.

In a time when costs to each municipality are increasing, funding from the state faces cuts, and the residents want more metropolitan projects, the officials in each city are optimistic about continued growth.  Let’s be optimistic along with them – Time will tell……..

A new home is to be built for the Benton Franklin Humane Society on four acres of property recently acquired in East Kennewick. There have been quite a few animal related stories in our Tri City area in the past couple of years and this no-kill shelter will triple the size of the current facility, thus allowing an increase in the number of animals housed.

The Port of Kennewick sold the land located at 1710 E. Seventh Avenue in Kennewick. The Humane Society has been involved in a capital campaign to raise the necessary $2 million. People interested in making donations to complete the shelter can visit their website: www.bfhs.com and designate that the monies go to the new shelter, rather than everyday operations costs, if that is what you wish. If sending a check, indicate that in the memo line.

BFHS is also prepping for their annual Crab Feed 2010 which will be January 23rd from 3pm to 8 pm at St. Joseph’s PAC located at 901 W. 4th Avenue in Kennewick. This fundraiser is for the facility’s general operating costs. Call 374-4235 for more information.

September 24th is the day for Tri-Citians to witness the grand opening of the new Clover Island Yacht Club in Kennewick. The Port of Kennewick is inviting the public to a ribbon cutting and reception to dedicate the new facility.

Ahoy Matey!  Call the Port of Kennewick for an RSVP 586-1186, ext 2 by September 21.