A prominent Tri-City divorce attorney is building a new office at a prominent intersection on the Kennewick-Richland border for her growing family law practice.

Jennifer LaCoste, principal for LaCoste Law in Pasco, bought an undeveloped site on Steptoe Street near Gage Boulevard from Jacobs RR LLC in a deal that closed Sept. 2. The property is nearly 1 acre, according to county tax records.

LaCoste plans to build a permanent home for her six-woman office, with other space for tenants. The firm installed a “Future Home” sign in early September.

In choosing the location, on the Kennewick side of the boundary, LaCoste becomes the most recent entrepreneur to claim a spot at the busy Gage and Steptoe intersection, which is best known for the Gesa building on one corner, a Rite Aid on another, and a McDonald’s restaurant and gas station on another.

Other new neighbors include Bravo Ventures LLC, owners of Prodigy Homes, which completed a $1.2 million, one-story stucco office building with nearly 3,600 square feet of Class A space at 2055 Steptoe St., and Elite Investment Grp LLC, which completed a $2.8 million, 10,700-square foot office on Tucannon Avenue just south of the intersection.

LaCoste is finishing the design, which includes choosing between a one- or two-building configuration, said Donni Bricker-Garcia, director of administration for LaCoste Law.

The project could be one large building or two smaller ones of 4,500 to 5,000 square feet each. LaCoste Law will occupy part of the space and the rest will be available for lease. Either way, the building or buildings will be two stories.

The project will cost about $2.5 million, including the property, which is north of McDonald’s on the northbound side of Steptoe.

The architect and contractor have not been confirmed.

Bricker-Garcia said the move to Gage and Steptoe will place LaCoste in the heart of the Tri-Cities and closer to the Richland and Kennewick homes of most of its employees.

The location offers easy access to freeways and the Benton County Justice Center, a frequent destination for attorneys.

Bricker-Garcia said LaCoste intended to buy the land as an investment after regularly driving by a “For Sale” sign near the high-traffic intersection.

She decided to build sooner after looking at the firm’s growth. The building should be ready for occupancy in 12 to 18 months.

The firm will give up its leased quarters near the Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco.

Bricker-Garcia said the new building will serve as the firm’s “forever” home as well as an investment for its owner. The all-woman office includes LaCoste as well as two paralegals and other support staff. The team worked together at another Tri-City firm before joining LaCoste when she created the family law practice in 2018.

The practice is growing with the addition of support staff. Bricker-Garcia said she is currently looking to hire a paralegal.