Large commercial development coming to south Kennewick + New eatery at public market

As the Port of Kennewick embarks on its newest commercial development at Vista Field, they’re taking the time to celebrate success at another project.

The port has rescheduled their delayed celebration for the completion of the second phase of the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village.

Originally postponed due to COVID-19, the event was set for last month, but extreme heat forced the port to once again push back the event.

Now it’s set for a Sept. 15, with much lower risk of another delay.

The event will kick off at 2p.m., recognizing the wineries and food trucks that have helped make the project a success, as well as introducing their newest tasting rooms by Gordon Estate Winery and Muret-Gaston Winery.

The second phase of the project saw parking, a loop roadway, landscaping, artwork and more installed. It also marked the beginning of the village’s food truck plaza.

The founding wineries were Bartholomew and Monarcha’s tasting rooms. Regular food truck vendors include Culture Shock Bistro, Ann’s Best Creole & Soul Food, Taste of Wok, Only Tacos, Bobablastic and Swampy’s BBQ.

Swampy’s also recently began development of a permanent storefront at the village.

The port also recently worked to establish better communication and incentives for food trucks, and highlights which will be available daily on its Facebook page.

Vista Field, which officially put parcels on the market this summer, has land available for developers. There are currently 20 parcels available for the mixed-use development, around what is envisioned as a town center for the entire Tri-Cities.

More information about available parcels at Vista Field can be found at the port’s website.

The Falls

A large new commercial development called The Falls at 4112 is coming to south Kennewick. The project is off of 24th Avenue and South Quillian Place, just off of Highway 395.

The development will be comprised of a four-story, mixed-use building clocking in at 117,000 square feet and two smaller, 5,500 square-foot buildings on a combined 4-acre parcel.

The land is owned by AP Properties of Pasco. They bought the land in 2017 for a combined $650,000, according to the Benton County Assessor’s Office. It’s unclear if they’ll own the buildings.

Knutzen Engineering designed the plans, and Elite Construction and Development of Pasco will handle construction.

That area off West 27th Avenue is seeing renewed development after COVID-19 caused a slowdown.

Last month paperwork was filed for two new office buildings in a cul de sac across from The Falls development.

The offices will be going in at a vacant lot just off of 24th, behind the Baymont by Wyndham hotel.

The first building will be four units for a total of 6,000 square feet. The second will be three units at 4,950 square feet.

It’ll also be adding 45 parking spaces and the large cul de sac is proposed to be turned into a roundabout.

Benton County property records show the property is owned by Robert and Staci Cheatham.

Goose Ridge

Goose Ridge Winery is building a large warehouse on its 180-acre property in unincorporated Benton County near Benton City.

The 40,000 square-foot warehouse will be used for wine barrel storage.

They also are planning a future expansion of an existing building to add more wine tanks and bottling equipment.

EleMar

A granite and marble company is building offices and a warehouse valued at $3.8 million in Pasco.

EleMar Oregon, which specializes in Granite and Marble, is building a 26,600 square foot warehouse and office space at 1879 N. Commercial Dr. in Pasco.

The facility will have a showroom featuring marble, granite, quartzite, soapstone and more, according to the website.

They’re hoping to open by November.

Opportunity Kitchen

A new dining option supporting people with disabilities and other challenges has opened at the Public Market at Columbia River Warehouse.

Columbia Industries’ Opportunity Kitchen now has a grab-and-go style stall at the market with locally made baked goods, sliders, soups and more.

The Opportunity Kitchen stall is run by staff and students in the program, which offers employment training opportunities to people with disabilities and others facing employment barriers, according to a Columbia Industries release.

Students spend 12 weeks in the program alongside an executive chef instructor, preparing them for food service, hospitality and catering jobs.

Students also take life skills classes to help overcome challenges related to intellectual or physical disabilities, mental illness, domestic violence, substance abuse and homelessness or unstable housing, according to the news release.

The Public Market is at 10 E. Bruneau, with parking and the entrance near the intersection of Bruneau and North Beech Street. It’s open Thursday through Sunday.