Articles by Robin Wojtanik
Minimum wage increase likely means higher costs for consumers
Tri-City fast food restaurant owners say there’s no way to avoid raising prices when the latest minimum wage increases kick in at the start of 2020, requiring workers be paid at least $13.50 an hour. “Anybody who thinks that prices aren’t going to go up, you’re fooling yourself,” said Tom Tierney, owner of the Tri-Cities’…
Developers plan $5M solar-powered commercial building in west Pasco
A “green” office building will brighten and lighten up a busy west Pasco neighborhood, courtesy of green paint and green energy. The Wrigley Place development is intended to be the first solar-powered commercial building in the Tri-Cities. Developer Dennis Gisi said Wrigley Drive LLC is behind the $5 million investment on Wrigley Drive, just west…
Swapping signals for ramps may be best pick for Richland gridlock
Richland council to review final traffic report at Dec. 3 meeting Richland is close to deciding the best way to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for drivers moving north and south through the city. The top-ranked project calls for removing a number of traffic signals at intersections along the bypass highway. The final proposal,…
TC Futures steps up to help youth heading into real world
Young adults can complete free, individualized program to earn GED diploma, get help finding a job The opening of TC Futures in Kennewick has created a home base for young adults looking to earn their GED diploma, get help finding a job or even wash laundry and grab a bite to eat. The site at…
City hopes new police station will anchor future growth
Port of Kennewick sells former raceway to city, which has big plans to develop it West Richland is close to completing its purchase of the Tri-City Raceway, paving the way for a new police station and a chance to woo future tenants to the property on the west end of town. City officials say moving…
The Nineteen to arrive in downtown Kennewick in ’21
Investors moving forward with plans to break ground on multimillion dollar project in about six months Luxury apartments are coming to downtown Kennewick as part of a lofty new plan to add a five-story mixed-use building to the corner of West Canal Drive and North Auburn Street. Built from the ground up, the project, called…
Mall celebrates 50 years of success amid changing retail market
Columbia Center continues to welcome new tenants, hopes to fill vacancies around perimeter of property Vintage advertisements once touted the Columbia Center mall as the “Manhattan of the Northwest,” and likened it to being like “Tahiti all year long,” where it was a balmy 72 degrees indoors, allowing shoppers to escape the wind inside air-conditioned…
Goodwill’s auction site showcases its ‘coolest, weirdest’ donations
Donations made to Tri-City area Goodwill stores listed for nationwide sales A small team of employees spend their workday at Goodwill Industries of the Columbia sorting through unique instruments, collectible jewelry, antique artwork, vintage toys and often the unexpected—like framed animal teeth. “The teeth I can’t get out of my head for some reason,” said…
Tri-City hotel mogul buys Kolzig mansion for $3.5M
A prominent Tri-City mansion recently sold to a local hotel mogul for $3.5 million. The new owner of the home built by hockey legend Olie Kolzig is Gurbir Sandhu, president of the hospitality group Ignite Hotels LLC. Sandhu said he intends to deed the Kennewick property to an LLC that has not yet been formed…
Market overview: Relief on horizon for housing shortage as prices skyrocket
The Tri-City construction market continues to add millions of dollars in new projects as home and commercial lease prices skyrocket. The average Tri-City home sale price did not dip below $300,000 for the first eight months of 2019. But area real estate experts say prices could begin to level off in 2020. “I think we’re…
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