Articles by Robin Wojtanik
Commercial real estate: Costs continue to drive up prices
Commercial real estate agents cite years of ongoing growth for the Tri-Cities’ especially tight market today. “There’s a lot of leasing, a lot of sales, a lot of new construction going on,” said Rob Ellsworth, senior advisor at SVN | Retter & Co. in Kennewick. “Our market might even be too strong right now because…
City of Richland: New bridge, developments to boost central district
Transformational projects in central Richland will add new housing options, transportation routes and businesses to the city’s core. The long-anticipated Duportail Street bridge is expected to open in fall 2020. The route will connect drivers from the Stevens Drive corridor to the Queensgate Drive retail hub, and provide easier access to locations in central Richland,…
Multimillion dollar hotel projects offer visitors more getaway choices
The Tri-Cities will add more than 300 hotel rooms to the market when multiple hotels open in the next year. And more rooms will be available in 2021 and beyond, with other hotel projects currently in the planning stages. The opening of three hotels with a combined value of $21.5 million will increase the number of available…
Richland YouTube celebrity trades 9-to-5 life for professional gamer gig
It’s not easy to describe what Richland’s Lance Frisbee does for a living. He’s a gaming celebrity, social media influencer and YouTuber. “There are a lot of people who are really curious about my line of work. They want to know why I travel all over the world. I am still working on my elevator…
Kennewick company plans to go public this fall
A Kennewick company already selling a popular soil-test kit on Amazon is poised to grow its success when it goes public this fall. “What I see this company doing is going from several million in sales to a whole lot more,” said James Katzaroff, senior vice president for finance for UNIBEST International. “We’re going to…
In-home care employer shift now underway
A Montana-based company soon will manage individual providers who offer in-home care to clients through the state’s Department of Social and Health Services. It’s a switch from the current system that has DSHS handling all administrative functions. Now, Consumer Direct Care Network out of Missoula will become responsible for 20,000 individual care providers across 22…
Restaurant supply store moves, expands showroom
The store may include “restaurant” in its name, but Western Restaurant Supply & Design also is hoping to serve home chefs at its new 10,000-square-foot Richland showroom. “If you’re looking for a $15 knife, I got those, or if you want a $400 knife, I got those, too. We’re always looking to reignite or ignite…
Costco’s busy food court gets overhaul
Renovation means new counter location, more space for workers, equipment Costco’s food court window is rotating toward the entrance of the store, intending to alleviate backups near the registers while improving efficiencies for workers who are constantly taking and filling orders behind the counter. “It will create internal efficiencies and make it easier for our…
Tri-City teacher salaries closing in on state average
New state standardized salary schedule responsible for pay discrepancies Kennewick teachers walked out of their classrooms, delaying the start of school by four days this year amid salary concerns. The move resulted in an 8 percent raise for educators in the Tri-Cities’ biggest school district, putting their salaries more in line with neighboring districts. But…
Kennewick port commissioners face sanctions, appeal following complaint
The Port of Kennewick’s three commissioners have been outspoken as costs pile up for an independent investigation involving two of them that was prompted by the third. Commissioner Skip Novakovich filed an anonymous complaint as a citizen alleging unprofessional behavior during a testy closed-door meeting about the sale of land near Vista Field. It ultimately…
Latest News
E-Newsletter
Sign-up for our e-newsletter filled with featured stories and latest news.
