Construction + Real Estate

Colleges see strong enrollment gains as campus projects move forward

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities both reported significant student enrollment increases this fall, marking consecutive growth at both schools.

School districts tackle growth and funding challenges

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The three Tri-City districts, which together serve more than 50,000 Tri-City students and employ more than 6,000 workers, are navigating a rapidly changing educational landscape through expansion, upgrades and planning for the future.

Projects could bring hundreds of jobs to Wallula area

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The Port of Walla Walla’s Wallula Gap Business Park near Burbank, just east of Pasco, is on the cusp of bringing new industries and jobs to the region. One industrial partner awaits final state permits to begin construction while another recently cleared a state regulatory hurdle.

Hefty agenda ahead for future development

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The Port of Pasco’s industrial properties are retaining and drawing new tenants in everything from food processing to logistics. The Tri-Cities Airport has seen nothing but growing passenger counts for years. And it’s looking to the future with plans for developments connected to the agriculture industry and even becoming a player in the energy market.

Rail improvements to drive more opportunities for business

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

As the Port of Benton plans for the needs of incoming industries, it’s strengthening its infrastructure to be ready to “meet the moment.”

Port celebrates milestone year amid Vista Field delays

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The Port of Kennewick’s path forward at Vista Field remains uncertain as the port awaits guidance from the state after completing additional chemical testing.

Setting the stage for massive residential development

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Development is happening in all corners of the city.

City gears up for one-way streets, new business, residential growth

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Alongside the downtown loop project, the city also is navigating broader growth – from new housing in Badger Mountain South and commercial developments near the new Costco to infrastructure improvements and retail recruitment efforts across town.

Explosive growth cools but more is coming

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

To say Pasco has grown in recent years is an understatement, but momentum has slowed.

Convention center expansion leads wave of citywide development

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

The city of Kennewick’s population continues to grow. Its outer edges continue to expand with residential development as its commercial core launches new construction projects.

Development momentum stays steady

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Between Hanford’s continuing role in the economy, expansion in agricultural and industrial areas, lower interest rates and inflation being kept in check, experts say “the Tri-City market is on a good, healthy growth trend.” That sense of momentum also can be seen in sectors that require substantial infrastructure and long-term investment.

Homebuilders face headwinds amid difficult year

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Early optimism from homebuilders and real estate agents has been dampened by construction worker shortages, tariffs, inflation and other financial pressures.

Top 20 Tri-Cities Construction Projects

nathan@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Home construction sees welcome uptick

sara@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Residential construction in the Tri-Cities area is starting to see increased activity after a slower 2023.

More Tri-City high schools on the horizon

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

High schools — some being built now and others perhaps down the road — are springing up around the Tri-Cities in the latest capital project news for local school districts.

Colleges complete several smaller-scale projects

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Here’s a look at what’s happening on WSU Tri-Cities’ and CBC’s campuses

A year of progress and preparation

sara@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Multiple construction projects within Port of Pasco industrial centers, from a Darigold production facility to an expedited delivery center for Amazon, are in various stages of completion.

Vista Field is full steam ahead with residential, commercial development

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Kennewick's CEO has said in the past that it would just take one developer to open the door at Vista Field, and then the proposals would start streaming in. His prediction, it seems, is playing out now.

Increased demand propels infrastructure improvements

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

The Port of Benton is amping up its infrastructure in anticipation of increased flow through railways, airways, waterways and more.

Keeping a focus on smart growth

sara@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

West Richland used to be something of a “sleepy bedroom community,” in the words of its community development director. But in recent years, it’s seen commercial development pick up.

Big commercial projects loom on the horizon

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

While Richland officials describe the city as having “land for days,” not all of it is available for housing and the number of single-family homes has yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers, though the city grew a modest 1.4% to more than 64,000 residents in 2024.

Eased restrictions create multifamily housing boom

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Pasco recently made a major change to its residential zoning, and the city is seeing immediate benefits when it comes to housing availability, housing diversity and housing prices.

Millions of dollars in road projects may help drive growth

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Development across Kennewick continues in leaps and bounds as former empty space between developments rapidly fills in.

Pent-up market sprints toward strong finish

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0400

The commercial real estate outlook going forward remains a fairly positive one.

Residential Growth: Home construction leveling out after speed bumps

sara@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:46:56 -0400

For Jason Wilkinson, one of the best parts of being a homebuilder comes at the end of the process.

“It’s when I hand keys to the buyers, knowing they’re going to make memories in something I built. That’s really satisfying to me,” said the co-owner of the Tri-Cities-based Prodigy...

Commercial Real Estate: Rising interest rates don’t dampen cautious optimism

sara@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:41:55 -0400

The story of commercial construction in the Tri-Cities right now has a simple theme: Things may have cooled a bit due to factors such as higher interest rates, but there’s no reason to panic.

“Although we may see a little bit of a slowdown in the pace of new...

Port of Benton: Rail priorities keep port on the right track

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:36:38 -0400

After years of successful legislation to regain control of its local railways, the Port of Benton spent the last year repairing the rails so it could shift its priority to leveraging this asset to its fullest capacity: providing access for rail customers currently in Richland’s Horn...

Port of Kennewick: Vista Field readies for take off

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:29:34 -0400

It’s been quiet at Vista Field since the Port of Kennewick laid down infrastructure.

But there are now tangible signs that development is coming: The port commission approved its first sale at the 103-acre former airport.

Amber Keller, owner of Blueberry Bridal Boutique at 8901 W. Tucannon Ave., Suite 155,...

Port of Pasco: Tri-Cities Airport soars toward record-breaking passenger levels

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:24:58 -0400

Higher education: Colleges boast higher enrollments but no major capital projects

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:17:28 -0400

Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College officials have been working on smaller, infrastructure-type projects. And both campuses boasted higher student enrollment numbers in fall 2023.

Here is a look at what’s happening on their Tri-Cities campuses:

WSU Tri-Cities

For the first time since fall 2017, enrollment on the Washington...