What’s being built there? Apartment lofts, popular bakery, flower shop and more
Welcome to “What’s being built there?” the Tri-City Herald feature were we attempt to answer the question, “What’s that?” about construction taking place in our growing community.
Suggest projects at news@tricityherald.com.
Thanks much to readers for your suggestions.
Pasco
Columbia River barge
Columbia River
A construction barge off Osprey Pointe in east Pasco is creating a bit of a stir.
The barge is working to replace a sewer outfall and related pipe as part of a wastewater treatment plant upgrade by the city of Pasco.
The work is part of the bigger project valued at $5.1 million.
The package of projects is designed to accommodate population growth in Pasco and to improve the quality of the treated wastewater it discharges into the Columbia River.
The outfall consists of 1,600 feet of 42-inch piping along with supporting structures. It is part of series of projects to modernize the existing treatment plant and increase capacity to keep up with the growing number of people living — and flushing — in Pasco.
The portion in the water includes a diffuser and 1,250 feet of pipe.
The project is funded with low-interest loans from the Washington State Department of Ecology with federal assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency. Censor North America Inc. is the engineer and Advanced American Construction is the contractor.
Want to know more about turning wastewater into river water? Contact the city to set up a free tour of the wastewater plant at 509-545-3468 or review Pasco’s 2019 Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan, bit.ly/3Suxg4z.
Kennewick
Clearwater Lofts LLC
7275 W Clearwater Ave.
Zook Homez LLC, an arm of Smile a Mile Painting, has started site work for Clearwater Lofts, a 32-unit apartment and commercial project near Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in western Kennewick.
The project includes nearly 4.500 square feet of commercial and 20,200 square feet of residential space. The building permit indicates it is a two-story project, though architectural renderings show it will have a third level.
The project is valued at more than $3.5 million, according to Sept. 26 building permit issued by the city of Kennewick.
Shelby’s Floral future home
6018 W. Clearwater Ave.
Shelby’s Floral has begun construction of a new home just west of its current spot at West Clearwater Avenue and Edison Street.
The city of Kennewick issued permits for the 6,150-square-foot project on Oct. 18. The project includes a new flower shop and showroom as well as a garage.
Hummel Construction and Development of Kennewick is the contractor. Shelby’s owners Jacqueline and William Brown paid more than $900,000 for the property earlier this year.
The new spot should be ready by mid-2024.
NAI Tri-Cities is marketing the existing Shelby’s spot to prospective tenants. It has 4,400 square feet and is offered at $26 per square foot per year.
Apple Valley neighborhood
Sherman and Bob Olson Parkway
The latest phases of the Apple Valley residential development is taking shape on both sides of Bob Olson Parkway west of Sherman. The city of Kennewick reports lots are being developed for Phases 7, 8 and 9.
In related development, nearly 100,000 cubic yards of fill from the Apple Valley residential subdivision is being brought to a 19-acre site at 2716 Sherman St.
The site, owned by Tri-Cities Development Co., is zoned for low-density residential development, according to a notice of application posted by the city of Kennewick. Ziply and the Benton Public Utility District have installed infrastructure at the site, but no further development notices were available.
Richland
Ethos Bakery & Cafe
The future home of Ethos Bakery & Cafe is taking shape in south Richland at 2290 Keene Road, near the intersection with Queensgate Boulevard. The project shares a parking lot with Kozy Cup Coffee and is valued at $800,000.
Ethos closed its nearby restaurant and consolidated at 702 The Parkway while it waits for its new flagship location to be built. The new building will accommodate its baking, milling and coffee operations and will offer indoor and outdoor seating as well as a drive-thru.
Washington Securities & Investment Corp. is the property owner and developer.
Center Parkway
Richland/Kennewick border
We’re happy to report a construction project has wrapped up. The Richland-led project to extend Center Parkway between Gage Boulevard in Kennewick and Tapteal Drive in Richland is complete.
Drivers may now use the new road behind Columbia Center to drive across the Port of Benton-owned railroad tracks to reach Tapteal, home to various hotels, big box furniture stores and a Les Schwab tire shop.
Center Parkway was a relatively simple project but took 22 years to launch because of litigation over property rights and the complexity of crossing railroad tracks. It also promoted the relocation of a business, Mail by the Mall, that stood in its path.
Starbucks-anchored retail
1745 George Washington Way
Wait, didn’t a Starbuck’s JUST open on Road 68 in Pasco? Yes, it did. We wrote about it recently.
Well there’s another one brewing.
The Tri-Cities’ next new Starbucks will anchor a retail development being finalized an the former Shari’s Restaurant spot, 1745 George Washington Way, near Safeway.
The three-space retail space is being built by Stephens & Sons Construction Inc. The remaining spaces range up to 3,600 square feet and is being marketed by Kiemele Hagood.
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