Businesses team up to build Pasco school’s outdoor classroom

Several Tri-City businesses played a role in helping Mark Twain Elementary School build its new outdoor classroom.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 6.

The idea for an outdoor classroom began when Genie Hernandez, a fifth-grader at the Pasco school, shared the idea of creating a relaxing place outside where kids could read, play and create messy projects in the shade.

This project eventually transformed into a reality with the help of the businesses, the school’s parent teacher organization (PTO) and Genie.

The project was completed Sept. 16, when PARR Lumber provided volunteers to install the shade structure and railing.

The total estimated value of the project was $25,000, with Twain’s PTO contributing $15,314. The remainder of the funding was secured through collaborative efforts with community partners.

The following people and companies played pivotal roles in making this project possible:

• Travis Tholstrup, manager of Parr Lumber, and his team donated the shade structure and other essential materials for the concrete.
• Allen Cruz, account manager at Capital Lumber, made a significant contribution toward the shade structure donation.
• Norm Nordby, territory manager at International Wood Products (IWP), donated the railing.
• Wade Blagg, general manager, and John Mattson, site manager at American Rock Products, donated 15 yards of concrete for the project’s foundation.

Richland sewer project to support $1B fertilizer plant

 The city of Richland will use a $4 million low-interest loan to build new sewer infrastructure to expand the North Horn Rapids Industrial Park.

The sewer will help support the $1 billion zero-carbon fertilizer plant planned by Atlas Agro.

The plant isn’t a certainty, but Atlas Agro is exploring the feasibility.

The low-interest loan was approved by the state Community Economic Revitalization Board.

The fertilizer plant project, is expected to create 160 jobs.

Port of Benton to buy former Richland Airport terminal building

The Port of Benton is buying a former terminal building at the Richland Airport Business Park, thanks to a $1.1 million low-interest loan approved by the Community Aviation Revitalization Board. The port will use the 12,000-square-foot building to add more leasable space and support the airport’s growth.

“The building purchase is strategic for the port and in line with Richland Airport’s Master Plan, which outlines future growth and development of the airport to benefit our region,” said Port Commission President Christy Rasmussen in a statement.

The building at 1845 Terminal Drive was constructed in 1977 and was a commercial airport terminal for many years. It included a rental car facility, restaurant and office space. Over the years, the building has been home to several businesses.

Industry group speaks out on natural gas restrictions

 The Building Industry Association of Washington says new natural gas restrictions approved by the Washington State Building Code Council don’t follow federal laws and fail to protect the public’s right to energy choice.

The building association is “working with others to explore our legal options to protect energy choice and help more people in Washington find housing they can afford,” said Greg Lane, executive vice president, in a statement.

Kaizen Construction signs lease for new office space

Kaizen Construction has signed a 12-month lease for 1,070 square feet of office space at 6802 W. Rio Grande Ave., Suite B, in Kennewick’s Vista Field area.

The new space was needed “since achieving more business than anticipated and reaching a crossroads in their first year,” according to a release from NAI Tri-Cities.

NAI Tri-Cities’ Todd Sternfeld and Corren Heeren represented Matta Investments LLC, the landlord.

Sternfeld represented Kaizen Construction and Development LLC.

Kaizen has a combined 40 years of experience in design, construction management and construction in both commercial and residential projects.

Pasco discusses downtown revitalization, public art at conference

Pasco’s downtown revitalization efforts are set to be showcased at a statewide conference.

Jacob Gonzalez, the city’s director of community and economic development, led a presentation with Framework Consulting during the Washington American Planning Association conference earlier this month in Spokane. The session focused on Pasco’s recently ratified Downtown Master Plan, which includes an ordinance that allows for creation of public murals through a city-sponsored program.

The Pasco City Council approved the plan and the mural initiative earlier this year, “reflecting Pasco’s commitment to renewing its downtown area,” the city said in a statement.

The session touched on topics from building community and business support for inclusive planning to collaborative endeavors and resource allocation. “It promises to offer other communities a replicable blueprint for downtown renewal,” the statement said.

Along with Gonzalez, Pasco’s Development Services Lead Jessica Brackin and Community Resource Specialist Gina Vasquez also attended the conference, which draws hundreds of economic development, urban planning and community engagement professionals.

This year’s conference theme was “Leading the Change: Ideas from the Around the State.”