Richland playground receives upgrade

 The Sturgeon Cove Playground at Howard Amon Park in Richland is getting an upgrade this fall. 

The new playground will feature enhancements and additions intended to increase safety, accessibility, user capacity and enjoyment. The playground will be centered around a cruise boat theme, featuring colors inspired by the Columbia River and a replica paddle wheel cruise ship.

Planning and design for the playground began in 2023, and construction started Sept. 9. The project will take six to eight weeks to complete. 

Some of the features of the new playground will be an expanded footprint, improved ADA accessibility, dueling ziplines, additional swings and an expression swing, play areas for both preschool-aged children and children of all ages, sensory play equipment, and an inclusive whirl feature. 

The elephant slide, fish sculptural elements and rock-climbing features will remain at the playground. 

A shade structure also will be installed over adjacent picnic tables, funded by a donation from Robert “Bob” Zinsli.

Tri-Cities Airport receives $12.7M for runway work

The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco is using $12.7 million in federal funding for a taxiway and runway project. The work will involve shifting Taxiway D and Runway 12/30 to the northwest, bringing them into conformity with current standards.

The funding is part of $48 million secured for seven airport modernization projects across the state. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, announced the funding awards.

Richland seeks proposals for mixed-use property sale

The city of Richland is seeking proposals to purchase or lease and develop a city-owned property at 24 Lawless Drive. Interested developers must acquire or lease the entire 5.85-acre property. 

The property is south of the intersection of Thayer Drive and Lawless Drive, adjacent to an off-ramp for State Route 240. 

Nearby are the Beverly Heights residential neighborhood and Bonneville Power Administration substation to the north, Fred Meyer shopping center and McDonald’s restaurant to the east, and Aaron Drive to the south. The property is also near the Wellsian Way and Aaron Drive commercial corridors, several parks and public schools. 

The property is zoned retail business and has potential for mixed use, including retail, restaurants, office and multifamily housing. Bids will be accepted through 3 p.m. Nov. 4. Go to: richlandbusiness.com/land-for-sale.

Officials celebrate topping ceremony for new high school

Fowler General Construction and Pasco School District celebrated a milestone in the construction of Orion High School during a topping out ceremony on Oct. 10 at the school, 1815 E. Salt Lake St., Pasco.

The ceremony is a tradition in the construction industry, celebrating the completion of a building’s structural framework. During the event, the final beam was placed, and a tree was planted to commemorate this important phase of the project.

Orion High School, also known as the Career & College Academy, is set to open in fall 2025. It will serve up to 600 students.

This $37.9 million high school was developed with input from business and industry leaders, families and students. 

Similar to Delta High School, Orion will focus on career and college readiness, offering hands-on experiences and industry certifications. However, Orion will exclusively serve students from Pasco, ensuring that every Orion student graduates with a credential or industry certification in areas such as health sciences, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

The school’s state-of-the-art facility spans 65,000 square feet and will provide students with opportunities to earn college credits and gain experience in high-demand, high-wage industries, helping them transition smoothly into careers or further education.