Kennewick public market opens at old juice plant

Columbia River Warehouse Public Market in the heart of downtown Kennewick has opened.

The public market held its grand opening June 9-11 at the former Lieb Foods, aka Welch’s, juice plant, at 10 E. Bruneau Ave.

The market also will be the future home for Ice Harbor Brewery, which is relocating from its North Benton Street quarters, and will offer event space. The market stalls have been leased to 80 vendors offering a wide range of goods, services, food and other products.

Follow its progress on Facebook @Publicmarketcrw.

Banlin to build new Kennewick fire station, HQ

Banlin Construction will build Kennewick’s new fire station and headquarters.

The city awarded an $11 million contract to build Fire Station 1, which will have 23,183 square feet of fire station space as well as space for administration.

Banlin submitted the lowest of four bids.

The city is funding the project with proceeds from a general obligation bond, approved by the council in 2019 to pay for the new Fire Station 3 near Vista Field.

 The city moved ahead with plans to replace its aging Station 1/administration building near city hall when $2 million in unspent bond funds were left over.

Pasco annexing development land at Road 68

Newly annexed land at West Court Street and Road 68 in Pasco will bring much-needed development property to the city after the owners secured approval for a rezone and to annex it into the city.

Lamb 5 LLC, which owns two parcels, notified the city of their intent to commence annexation into the city in 2021. Adjoining parcels were added later.

In May, the city hearing examiner recommended the city approve rezoning land in the annexation area to allow development of retail business, suburban and low and medium density development.

“The annexation will result in much needed commercial and residential development opportunities for the citizens of Pasco,” the city said.

The property is being added to the city’s voting district No. 5 and will add nearly $30 million in assessed value to the city’s property tax base.

The city is preparing to update the intersection at West Court and Road 68, which has a “significant number of traffic accidents.” The city secured grants for the project and expects to solicit bids this summer, with construction starting in 2023.

Public Works Board accepting loan applications  

The Washington State Public Works Board (PWB) is accepting applications for infrastructure construction and pre-construction loans through midnight Sept. 9.

Cities, counties, special purpose districts and quasi-municipal organizations may apply.

Infrastructure systems eligible for these very low-interest state loans – between 0.47% and 1.39% for a 20-year construction loan – include streets and roads, bridges, domestic water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, and solid waste and recycling.

About $115 million is available for construction loans, and $2.9 million for pre-construction loans. This is the second loan application cycle of the 2021-23 state budget. Funds are awarded to projects that pass through the rating threshold based on a competitive ranking process.

The process for rating and ranking begins Sept. 12, and awards are expected to be announced Oct. 7.

A virtual application workshop for PWB construction and pre-construction loans is from 10 to 11 a.m. June 14. In previous cycles, demand for dollars outpaced available funding. The board expects this cycle to be similarly competitive. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend the workshop.

For more information, to complete the online application and to register for the Zoom workshop go to: commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/pwb-financing.

Teen builds playground for Eagle Scout project

A Richland Scout earned the organization’s highest honor by building a playground at the Hindu Temple of Eastern Washington in West Richland.

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Advaitha Motkuri had to earn 21 merit badges and show leadership by planning, developing and completing a community service project.

Motkuri’s project involved securing donations and help from her community, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop, family and friends. Her project took 181 hours to complete and provides a safe place for families with small children to play during various events held at the temple on Bombing Range Road.

Motkuri is the daughter of Radha Motkuri of Richland. She is one of the founding members of BSA Girls Troop #0219, chartered by Hill Spring Church and one of a handful of girls to achieve the rank of Eagle in the Blue Mountain Council. Her Scoutmaster is Wendy Cicotte.

Motkuri attends Richland High School where she is active in Key Club, DECA, Robotics Club and the string orchestra. She also was one of the finalists in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad and placed in the regional and state science and engineering fair.

The rank of Eagle is earned by less than 4% of all youth who join Scouts BSA.

In 2021, 49 girls and boys in the Blue Mountain Council earned the Eagle Scout Award, providing over 7,300 service hours in the community.