Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Tourism is growing in the Tri-Cities.  June saw 11,000 visitors attending 12 sports activities, generating nearly $3 million in revenue for the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland area.  July promises 7 additional sporting events with the likelihood of 8,500 visitors spending more than $2.4 million.  Hector Cruz, sports development manager at the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau indicated that sports organizers appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere of the Tri-City communities.

The Tri-Cities offer close to 3,500 guest rooms for those attending sporting events.  Restaurants and various hospitality businesses partner to offer corresponding discounts to the many visitors who return to the Tri-Cities for a second look after the sporting event is over.  Repeat customers is always a good invitation for staying longer or relocating to the Tri-Cities.  Distinctive Properties, Inc. carries a wide range of listings for homes in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and outlying smaller communities.  We welcome the opportunity to serve new arrivals.

The cities of Richland and Kennewick are collecting public input to help determine the future of Columbia Park West.

About 50 residents attended a public workshop at Camp Kiwanis in June. They all had ideas of what they would like to see in the park, from better beach access, restaurants, a beach, a dog park, an aquatic center, or boat rentals.

Richland has placed a four-question, online survey on its Web site to collect even more input on Columbia Park West, which encompasses 146 acres along the Columbia River.

“We are going to take the ideas we got at the meeting and from the survey about the different kinds of uses people want to see in the park and compare it with information we are gathering about cultural resources and environmental sensitivity and see where those uses might fit,” Said Bill King, Richland’s assistant city manager.

King said that late last year the cities decided to work together to create a plan to guide development of Columbia Park West for the next two to three decades. The cities agreed to hire a consultant to help with the plan and awarded a $185,000 contract late last year to Berger Abam, a consulting firm out of Vancouver.

The cities split the cost to have the consultants develop the plan, which will include public outreach, an environmental assessment, planning alternatives, and some infrastructure engineering, he said.

A community resource team, which includes representatives from Richland and Kennewick city councils, the city planning and parks commissions, and community partners was formed to help guide the project.

Two more public meetings are planned for October and December. “Then we will try to digest all the information and try to come up with a preferred plan, either at the end of this year or early next year,” said King.

For more information, go to the city’s website, www.ci.kennewick.wa.us or www.ci.richland.wa.us.

The public can take the four-question survey on the city of Richland’s website by clicking on the city departments link and then on Parks & Recreation and Columbia Park West Master Plan.

Community members may also comment on design and uses of the site by sending an email to CPWplan@ci.richland.wa.us or by calling King at 942-7583.

Source: Journal of Business