Council Connect 2024 by DEL Communications Inc.

COUNCIL CONNECT

Jared Haff

Justin Toner

Josh Hanson Travis Adams

CONTENTS COUNCIL CONNECT

8 –A message from the TCCC executive director, Scott Howard – 10 –Help us continue to shape the future of the TCCC – 12 –Your regional plan center

TCCC 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

15 –Scholarship Award information – Funded by the Annual Golf Tournament

Printing services offered by TCCC a value-added member benefit

Queensgate Transit Center: Connected Richland

26 –Tri-Cities Airport boosts parking

Building hope – Spreading Goodwill in Southridge

Major expansion planned for Three Rivers Convention Center

From promise to progress –Waiting on Amazon in Pasco

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TCCC gets spooky for Halloween – 20 –

The HP PageWide XL 5100

Reviving democracy –Old fire station in Kennewick gets new life as elections center

39 –Index to advertisers

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A message from the executive director of the TCCC SCOTT HOWARD

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS

Next year, the Tri-City Construction Council (TCCC) will celebrate its 75th anniversary, having been incorporated as a not-for-profit construction association on March 7, 1950. In January 2004, the physical plan room transitioned to a virtual service. What was once a central office for contractors to gather and collaborate on bids, turned into the digital landscape that we all navigate today. Since the virtual plan room’s debut, the online plan room has expanded from receiving and posting 2,600 projects annually in 2009 to over 6,000 in recent years. I’m incredibly proud of my staff’s output.

I’ve been closely analyzing our data though to get a better understanding of which projects are receiving the most engagement. I’ve concluded a need to narrow the geographic radius of what we post to the virtual plan room. Our major focus has always been on local bidding opportunities that are generally within a three-hour drive from Kennewick, Washington, and our partner plan rooms in Yakima, Washington, and Hermiston, Oregon. We remain committed to prioritizing these local projects. While we will continue to post projects within a three-to-five-hour range, you may notice fewer listings beyond that distance, as the data indicates minimal interest in those opportunities.

It is this emphasis of “quality over quantity” in our project postings that should better serve our members. For instance, we recognize the need for the procurement of more private commercial work. The bidding landscape is changing though; with agencies increasingly using small works rosters over traditional bids. With a traditional bid you have a very transparent process of firms and plan room advertising projects to contractors and suppliers, who in turn submit a bid or quote to a general contractor or directly to the plan-issuing agency. Then a responsible low bidder is determined, and the job is awarded if a company meets all the requirements of the contract.

Small works rosters are a bit of the reverse of a traditional bid, as they may not necessarily be formally advertised on a per project basis. Agencies are responsible for rotating through and directly reaching out to companies on the roster that are qualified to do the work. There are guidelines as to when and how rosters can be used. We encourage you to register to these rosters and to keep your business certifications up to date, as this helps you access more bidding opportunities. In Washington state, both MRSC Rosters and APEX Accelerator are valuable resources in training contractors on how to bid to the government and to increase your chances of finding work. I want to actively engage and collaborate with these agencies and other construction associations to ensure that there is a place for both traditional bids and small works rosters while ensuring that both processes remain transparent and fair.

The logistics of our planned upgrade to the virtual plan room are starting to become clear. It’s a slow process and I want to make sure we get it done right. The platform not only needs new and useful features, but it should improve upon existing ones. I look forward to being able to share more information in 2025 or beyond if that is what it takes to upgrade the service with some truly meaningful changes. We’ll do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition.

Thank you to our entire membership for your continued support! Whether you access the virtual plan room, participate in our programs, attend events, or use our printing services, we greatly appreciate you. If you’re not a member yet, please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or to schedule a free trial or drop in for a demo of the service. We are here to help your business succeed and to engage with the community for the benefit of the construction industry. s

Help us continue to shape the future of the

TCCC

Help us continue to shape the future of the Tri-City Construction Council (TCCC)

As a member of the TCCC, the administrative contact or primary account user at your company should have already received a couple links to an ongoing series of planned surveys. Answers can be submitted anonymously, but those companies

that are willing to disclose their contact information are entered into a drawing for a free quarter of membership dues. Entries for the drawing are limited to one participant per company

The goal of these surveys is to help us understand which services are valuable to you, as well as guide us towards offering additional services

in the future. All surveys should take less than one minute, and anonymity is always an option. Your time is valuable, so we will continue to find meaningful ways to reward our members for their participation.

So far, we’ve asked our members, “what events should TCCC host” and “what services are valuable?”. For future surveys, the TCCC may gather feedback on the virtual plan room, printing services, or the current programs that we offer.

As your local Tri-Cities area plan room, we want to help your company succeed in the construction industry. If you are a current member of the association and did not receive a link to the previous surveys, please email scott@tcplancenter.com to verify your eligibility.

As a non-member, please visit our website at www.tricityplancenter.com for more information on the services, events, and programs we currently offer. s

Your regional plan center

Member-supported non-profit association serving the Tri-Cities area construction industry for over 70 years

For businesses that want access to the latest construction leads, the Tri-City Construction Council (TCCC) offers a virtual plan room featuring accurate, timely updates on the details and documents for a variety of bidding opportunities.

WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS?

Full member benefits can be found on our website at www.tricityplancenter.com/membership.

• 24/7 access to the virtual plan room.

• Print, copy, and scanning document services.

• Specifications are bookmarked and separated by their unique Construction Specification Index (CSI) codes and the table of contents.

• Blueprints sheets are each labeled by sheet number and title and can be individually downloaded, combined as a single document, or loaded into a zip file.

• Project plans can be directly ordered online or downloaded and printed elsewhere.

• All specifications, addenda, amendments, and memos are OCR processed to be searchable.

• Comprehensive review process to make sure project reporting is timely and accurate, along with a nightly review of all daily processes.

• Nightly email updates will notify members of all projects posted the day before and can also be sorted with filters by unique keywords.

• Members tracking a project will receive instant email notifications for addenda and memos.

• Plan center reports on projects from the actively bidding phase to contract award, when possible.

• Customer service is local, in-house, and you will always speak to a human, not a chat bot.

• Staff is available during office hours to help work through troubleshooting any technical issues.

• Access to the membership directory.

• Advertising opportunities via this annual magazine and at the annual scholarship golf tournament.

• Meeting room can be reserved by members to use for seminars, training, or presentations.

WANT TO POST A PROJECT TO THE PLAN ROOM?

Send it to www.tricityplancenter.com/send.

• Posting projects to the virtual plan room is free!

• A reciprocal plan room agreement with both the Yakima, Washington Plan Center and the Hermiston, Oregon Plan Center means your project will be viewed by over 700 members of our combined plan rooms.

• Specifications are bookmarked by CSI codes and the table of contents; Blueprints are individually titled per the sheet index to aid members’ search for projects that contain the services they provide.

• Staff will notify agencies if there are any missing, illegible, or corrupted documents that may hinder a contractor from providing an accurate bid. s

TCCC 27th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

When: To Be Announced (May 2025)

Registration Opens: April 2025

Where: Canyon Lakes Golf Course, Kennewick, WA

The annual golf tournament is a wildly popular tradition that helps us provide scholarships to deserving students! Support can be provided by either reserving a team of four players or by sponsoring a hole. Team registrations include green fees, a cart, range balls, drink tickets, a raffle ticket, dinner, and a goodie bag. Additional raffle tickets are available to purchase for a chance to win one of many prizes.

Hole sponsorships include a full-color laminated sign on the course with your company name and logo, which is also displayed on event materials. Your support will also be recognized on our website where we announce the scholarship winners. This event continues to remain so successful that we increased the number of winners of the $2,500 scholarships from five to six students in 2024. That $15,000 puts the total of awarded funds at $189,500 since its inception in 1998.

Please note that this is a very popular event and team slots fill up very quickly! Registration for the 2024 event transitioned to an online service this year. Gone are the days of emailing sign-up forms. The new process was well received and is a more efficient way of handling the first-come first-serve registration policy. Please note that only members in good standing with Tri-City Construction Council are eligible to sign-up for the event. Sponsorships are open to any firm that wants to support the scholarship program.

Do you want notice of the registration date and sign-up details for future golf tournaments? There is now a golf tournament-only newsletter where you will receive a direct link to the online event registration website immediately when sign-ups are open each year! You can opt-in at the following link: www.tricityplancenter.com/golf.

For information on all events hosted by Tri-City Construction Council be sure to subscribe to the Announcements and Events newsletter. You can opt into these emails on our website, www.tricityplancenter.com/connect where you will also find our hours of operation and contact info. s

Scholarship Award information

Funded by the Annual Golf Tournament

Every year, the Tri-City Construction Council (TCCC) hosts a golf tournament to provide scholarships to deserving students.

For the 26th annual event, six students were each awarded $2,500. Thank you to everyone that was able to participate and a special thanks to all the hole sponsors that help us raise the bulk of the scholarship funds each year. The list of sponsors is available on our website: tricityplancenter.com/ golf.

Each year, the scholarship committee selects winners based upon the following criteria: academic achievement, community and

school involvement, financial need, leadership potential, and relationship of the student’s field of study to the construction industry.

Over the past 26 years, a total of $189,500 has been awarded to students.

Congratulations to all the following students who were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship in 2024:

• Morgan Hanson

• Emily Freeze

• Andre Mayoral

• Tobin Bowles

• Breann Briggs

• Connor Harper

To be eligible to apply for next year’s scholarship, one must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited public or private college, university, or trade school. The criteria, application process, and deadline will be announced by February 2024.

You can sign up to the TriCity Construction Council’s Announcements and Events newsletter at the www.tricityplancenter.com/connect to be notified when the application process opens. s

Special thanks to the following Golf Tournament Hole Sponsors!

EVENT LISTINGS

ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

WHEN: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024

Last year, the Tri-City Construction Council (TCCC) shook the snow globe to do something a little different than the usual format of years before. There was a live performance by Dewayne Hill, comedy magician, and the feedback on the event was positive.

This year, we’re bringing in another live entertainer, and we cordially invite you to come experience the Magic of Craig Martin. Join the TCCC and Martin for an evening of drinks, dinner, lots of prizes, and well… magic! Martin will be performing strolling magic throughout the evening in addition to his formal stage performance.

This year, we are excited to host the party at a new venue, the Three Rivers Convention Center. TCCC executive director Scott Howard will be working closely with our event

coordinators to improve on all aspects of the event, such as the food, the service, and the room configuration. A notable suggestion from last year was to remove the dance floor to bring the audience closer, so thank you for that feedback, anonymous attendee!

Since we’re taking a break from the DJ and dancing, the event has been shortened to pack in all the fun stuff that attendees seem to enjoy most. There is nothing to stop you though if you still want to dance… consider the whole room your dance floor!

The event is our way of helping you host a holiday party for your office. The TCCC does the party planning so that you can just relax and enjoy yourselves. With tables for eight people and up, you can reserve several to accommodate a larger staff. Individual tickets are also available.

If you have any questions or feedback from previous attendance, email scott@tcplancenter.com!

For information on all events hosted by the Tri-City Construction Council, be sure to subscribe to the Announcements and Events newsletter. You can opt into these emails at the following page on our website www.tricityplancenter.com/connect where you will also find our hours of operation and contact info.

GETS SPOOKY FOR HALLOWEEN!

Halloween 2024 may be over, but we thought it would be fun to share just how much the office likes the holiday.

What started as just a few donations of decorations from the staff, has now grown into a real solid collection. We try to keep the décor classy to maintain a festive, fun, and family friendly atmosphere.

Some members have commented that we just don’t have enough décor displayed and we couldn’t agree more! Don’t be afraid to come to see the office inperson in 2025 to see how the collection continues to grow, and be sure and grab yourself some treats while you’re here.

We wish you a safe and happy rest of your holiday season!

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The HP PageWide XL 5100

Tri-City Construction Council’s HP PageWide XL 5100 printer allows us to offer highly competitive pricing on large-format color drawings. Members of the association will receive the benefit of flat-rate color printing at no extra cost on all standard technical drawings that contain lines and partial page renderings. Technical drawings or posters containing large or full-page renders may be subject to a price adjustment due to a higher volume of ink used. For more information on pricing and a full list of printing services offered, please visit www.tricityplancenter.com/print-copies.

EFFICIENT

Blueprint orders are typically printed immediately upon receipt for a quick turnaround time during operating hours. Our large-format printer can produce 20 D/A1 (24x36) pages per minute with a quick first page output.

QUALITY

Expect a new standard for technical documents, with a print quality at a constant 1200 DPI, drawings will have crisp lines and text, smooth grayscales, and vibrant color. HP PageWide XL pigment inks are certifiably permanent under the ISO 11798 standard, concerning faderesistance and durability of writing, printing, and copying on paper. This is a rigorous industry standardized test method proving that plain paper prints made using HP inks will withstand harsh exposure to light, water, abrasion and handling, long-term storage and heat, and still be legible in the future.

OPTIONS

In addition to our standard 20-lb bond paper, we also have a water- and tear-resistant polypropylene paper available to be printed on 36-inch rolls. Enlargement or reduction of drawing size is available upon request, but please note that scale is not guaranteed on orders that request a change in size for printing. s

PRINTING SERVICES offered by TCCC a value-added member benefit

Did you know that being a member of the Tri-City Construction Council gives you the benefit of *color printing on large-format construction blueprints at no extra cost? We offer competitive, flat-rate costs on all standard technical drawings that contain lines and partial page renderings. Technical drawings or posters containing large page renderings may be subject to a price adjustment due to ink usage.

Members can order drawings online directly within the Virtual Plan Room, or anyone can email files to printorders@tcplancenter.com. Files that are too large for email can be sent through our MailBigFile service: www.mailbigfile.com/tricityplancenter. Orders are typically printed immediately upon receipt for a quick turnaround time during our hours of operation.

We aim to keep our blueprint prices fair, simple, and competitive. TCCC offers Large Format Blueprints, Black and White, or in Color at a cost of $2.00 per sheet on any drawing size between 12” x 18” up to 36” x 48” for all drawings with standard lines and partial page renders. We’ll even staple your order with a binding strip at no extra charge.

For more information on pricing and the full list of printing services we offer, please visit www.tricityplancenter.com/print.

Do you need a more durable set of blueprints? Tri-City Construction Council now offers Polypropylene

Paper for sheets printed on 36” rolls. The paper is tear and water resistant. Excellent for heavy use, outdoor and jobsite conditions. Use PolyPro paper in lieu of lamination. Contact us for more information about pricing on this premium upgrade over standard 20 lb. bond paper. s

GROUP ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

 Must be a qualified TCCC Member in good standing

 Must identify as General Contractor, Subcontractor, Construction Material Supplier or an Affiliated Trade

 Must maintain a valid Washington contractor license or affiliated trade registration/license equivalent

 Must enroll two (2) or more benefit eligible employees

TRUSTED CARRIER PARTNERS

 Premera Blue Cross – Medical & Dental plans

 Ameritas Life – Vision plans

 MetLife – Basic & Voluntary Life/AD&D

 WellSpring Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 Colonial Life – Voluntary & Worksite Benefits

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS

 20+ PPO, HSA & HMO Medical plans

 Contributory & Voluntary Dental plans

 Contributory & Voluntary Vision plans

 Embedded Basic Life/AD&D & EAP benefits

 Bundle Discounts & First Renewal Caps

 Dual Medical Plan offering

SIMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION

 Online enrollment platform, consolidated billing and single electronic payment

 Full-service COBRA administration

 Employer compliance support including Wrap Document, notices, disclosures and filings

 Four-tier composite rates

PARTNERING WITH THE NORTHWEST INDEPENDENT PLAN CENTER ASSOCIATION

Queensgate Transit Center: Connecting Richland

By Paul Adair

The Queensgate Transit Center features three passenger platforms that enable space for three active busses simultaneously picking up and dropping off, as well as two bus layover spots.

For more than 40 years, Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) has been successful in building a great transit system in Benton and Franklin Counties in southeastern Washington state, serving the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Prosser and Finley.

As part of this long tradition, in September 2024, busses started running from BFT’s new 660-squarefoot Queensgate Transit Center at 691 Windmill Road in Richland.

Located off Interstate 182 and near Columbia Park Trail, this anchor development is in one of the most prominent retail corridors in south Richland and allows BFT to provide better fixed route service to some of its more rural and suburban areas between Kennewick, West Richland, Downtown Richland and Prosser/Benton City. The new facility also enables future high-frequency service between Richland, the Queensgate area and Kennewick.

“We used to bring people from rural county areas into Richland proper, so the Queensgate Transit Center gives us a place that’s closer to where they live, one where they can basically hop onto other busses to get where they need to go, and get there quicker,” says Kevin Sliger, chief planning and development officer at Ben Franklin Transit. “More importantly however, the new center is also a way for us to connect some of our transit to rapidly growing areas to the west.”

Work on the Queensgate Transit Center started in 2020, with several years of planning and design needed to ensure that any busses coming in and going out from the site would not negatively impact the area’s existing traffic flow. There was also significant time required to negotiate the real estate acquisition so that construction could commence in 2023.

“Ben Franklin Transit’s long-term vision includes much more than you see at the site today and, while they might not be ready to implement that vision yet, the new center definitely has potential built into it.”

– Brandon Blankenagel, KPFF Consulting Engineers

But now with busses using the platforms and work on the facility nearly wrapped up, it is exciting to see what the Queensgate Transit Center has to offer.

DESIGNED COMFORT

Designed by KPFF Consulting Engineers, the Queensgate Transit Center features three passenger platforms that enable space for three active busses simultaneously picking up and dropping off, as well as two bus layover spots. The three semi-enclosed shelters help keep riders comfortable and shielded from the elements, and familiar route signs ensure they get to where they need to go.

Across the bus aisle from the platforms is a comfort station building for bus drivers that sets the standard going forward for what a BFT transit hub needs to have.

“Drivers can go into the station when they get the chance, store food in the refrigerator or use the microwave to warm up a lunch, get a cup of tea or coffee, and have a chance to take a break when they’re on layover for a few minutes – and then go back to their bus and continue on their way,” says Brandon Blankenagel, KPFF project manager.

One of the interesting aspects of this project is how it has not only been designed to suit the needs of BFT today, but also has an eye on their anticipated needs tomorrow. As such, the enclosed yard adjacent from the comfort building has been set aside to one day house equipment for alternative fuel busses in the future.

There has also been some talk about an open parcel of land to the west of the site that leaves the door open for future

mixed-use development that could tie into the new hub, as well as provide value and synergy to commuters, such as a bicycle repair shop or small eatery.

“Although challenging, it was really interesting for me personally to work on the planning stages of this project and figure out what the hub could eventually offer the community,” says Blankenagel. “Ben Franklin Transit’s long-term vision includes much more than you see at the site today and, while they might not be ready to implement that vision yet, the new center definitely has potential built into it.”

A HAPPY COMMUTE

Now that riders have had a chance to experience Queensgate Transit Center in action, the feedback BFT has received has been largely positive. Both passengers and drivers appreciate the aesthetics of the new facility, as well as how their daily commutes have in many cases been shortened.

“In the beginning – as with any schedule change – there was a little confusion, so we made sure to focus on our customer service and communication to explain what the changes were and why they were being made,” says Sliger. “But they’ve come to realize that they now have more opportunities to connect from the rural areas through the new hub to access the broader Ben Franklin Transit network and get to their destination a little bit quicker than they used to, which makes everybody happier.” s

Tri-Cities Airport boosts parking

500 new spots to support growing aviation demand in the region

By Shayna Wiwierski

As the holiday season approaches, the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco is taking significant steps to enhance the travel experience for its passengers by expanding its parking facilities. The airport is set to add 500 new parking spots to its existing inventory, responding to the growing demand for parking that peaked during last year’s holiday rush.

Initially scheduled for 2025, the expansion was moved up a year after the airport faced severe capacity issues during Thanksgiving and Christmas last year.

“A lot of our lots were full and we had to open up additional places in our employee lot just to give passengers a place to park,” says Buck Taft, airport director at the Tri-Cities Airport. “We moved this project up a year to get it done for this year’s holiday season.”

With a total of 1,525 parking spots already in operation, the addition of these new spaces will significantly alleviate congestion and provide a smoother experience for passengers flying out of the Tri-Cities.

The expansion project is strategically located south of the current main parking lot, utilizing approximately 223,000 square feet of available land. The new parking area will cater primarily to commercial passengers, including charter flights, enhancing convenience for those traveling during peak times. Although

Top: Airport authorities believe that this expansion will have a substantial impact on travel convenience, especially during peak travel times when demand surges.

Bottom: With a total of 1,525 parking spots already in operation, the addition of new spaces will significantly alleviate congestion and provide a smoother experience for passengers flying out of the Tri-Cities.

a parking structure was considered for future expansion, airport officials determined that the market wasn’t yet ready to support such an investment. Instead, they opted for a surface parking solution to maximize available space efficiently before contemplating vertical development.

The project, funded entirely through airport funds and cash reserves amounting to $1.475 million, began in August and was expected to be completed by early November.

Central Washington Asphalt has been contracted to carry out the construction, which includes grading the land, laying a base, paving the surface, and installing lighting. These improvements are designed to make the parking experience safer and more user-friendly.

Airport authorities believe that this expansion will have a substantial impact on travel convenience, especially during peak travel times when demand surges. With last year marking the airport’s busiest year on record, the need for additional parking is clear. This year, the airport has also introduced two new routes, including an American Airlines daily flight to Phoenix (PHX), now running twice daily, and daily service to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Alaska Airlines.

The airport’s leadership is optimistic about the future, highlighting that while the current project addresses immediate parking needs, there is a broader vision for further growth. Future expansions may include a multi-level parking structure, but for now, the focus remains on accommodating the increasing number of passengers with practical solutions.

In addition to the parking expansion, the airport is undergoing various improvements, including developments

in general aviation services and preparations for a runway shift next year. These enhancements reflect a commitment to growing the airport’s capabilities and ensuring it meets the demands of a rising passenger base.

As the holiday season approaches, travelers using the Tri-Cities Airport can expect a more streamlined parking experience, thanks to the timely expansion. This proactive measure

not only addresses current capacity issues, but also sets the stage for future growth and continued service improvement at the airport.

“Last year was our busiest year ever and this year we are up seven percent over last year,” says Taft. “We just added [two new routes], so we are really growing. This [new parking lot] allows easier parking during our peak travel times for the community.” s

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Building hope Spreading Goodwill in Southridge

By Paul Adair

The Goodwill organization was founded more than 120 years ago by Reverend Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister who collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of Boston, then trained and hired those from poorer areas to repair those used goods. The goods were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them, which led to the Goodwill philosophy of “Not Charity, but a Chance.”

Described by Helms as being both an “industrial program and a social service enterprise,” Goodwill Industries, as it is known today, provides employment, training and rehabilitation for people of limited employability, and is a source of temporary assistance for individuals whose resources have been depleted.

SERVING THE TRI-CITY AREA

With stores in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, College Place, Wenatchee, Sunnyside, and Hermiston, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia (Goodwill) has been around since 1969 and currently operates in 13 counties across southcentral Washington and northeastern Oregon.

“Under the watch of our CEO, Jeff Maddison, we have a strong focus on taking care of our employees, as well as expanding our Employment Connection Center that allows us to help people find work within the community and is completely funded by our stores,” says Marcy Wasney, Goodwill’s senior manager of special projects.

In order to better meet the growing

In order to better meet the growing demand for its services over the last decade, Goodwill has recently opened its new Southridge Attended Donation Center at 3813 Plaza Way in Kennewick.

demand for its services over the last decade, Goodwill has recently opened its new Southridge Attended Donation Center at 3813 Plaza Way in Kennewick, across from Trios Hospital. Goodwill strategically selected Southridge based on the demographics and growth pattern of this up-and-coming area as it allows the organization to broaden its range of services and help more people in the community – not just for today, but also into the future.

“As we move forward, we know this will be a valuable area, helping us collect donations to sell in our local retail stores,” says Wasney. “In turn, this will help fund the Employment Connection Center, which supports individuals in the communities we serve.”

The new attended donation center, with 1,100 square feet of floor space, allows Goodwill to stack more products and at greater heights.

A NEW DONATION MODEL

Traditionally, Goodwill has accepted and transferred its donations out of trailers located outside on retail parking lots. But with its new brickand-mortar location in Southridge, this no longer needs to be the case.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how quickly this location has taken off,” Wasney adds. “Some other sites haven’t done as well as fast, so we’re

VALUES IN ACTION

Even though it’s only been open for a short time, the response to the new attended donation center in Southridge has been overwhelmingly positive.

very grateful that this plan has come together for both Goodwill Industries and the Southridge community.”

One of the main reasons for transitioning from trailer locations to a more permanent facility is to improve the health and safety of employees, as well as offer greater convenience to donors. The new attended donation center, with 1,100 square feet of floor space, allows Goodwill to stack more products and at greater

heights. It also enables the use of a powered pallet jack for loading and unloading donations, replacing the manual process of moving items in and out of trailers. Additionally, moving workers indoors protects them from the elements while accepting and handling donations.

Another reason for the move is to give Goodwill a place of its own, as some previous locations have requested the removal of their trailers.

Put People First

Treat each other like family

Ensure every person goes home unharmed

Respect and encourage all perspectives

Build Trusted Partnerships

Be fiscally responsible

Listen to understand

Stand by the work

Be Constantly Curious

Embrace new ideas

Always ask “what’s possible?”

Make a Positive Difference

Better the lives of others for stronger communities

TURN YOUR VISION INTO A REALITY

“Donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill Industries, and this new building allows us to do more with them, which helps us better support our community.”

– Marcey Wasney, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia.

“This has been a deliberate decision on our part to seek properties for our attended donation centers, so we no longer have to worry about rebuilding our donations each time we’re asked to leave a parking lot,” says Wasney. “Now, we have a large bay with a trailer inside where donated items can be stored immediately. Our truck drivers simply back in, hook up, and take the trailer away, making the process much easier for our employees.”

A POSITIVE START

Even though it’s only been open for a short time, the response to the new attended donation center in Southridge has been overwhelmingly positive. Many people have complimented the charming building on the corner and appreciated the convenience it offers for donations.

“Donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill Industries, and this new building allows us to do more with them, which helps us better support our community,” says Wasney. “Our attendants are also happier in the new space, and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback about our customer service. Donors have said it feels much better to walk up to a brick-andmortar building rather than donate at the back of a trailer.” s

Major expansion planned for Three Rivers Convention Center

The Three Rivers Convention Center expansion will add an additional 110,000 to 120,000 square feet to the convention center’s existing footprint of 80,000 square feet.

New facilities aim to boost local economy, attract visitors, and enhance community services through increased revenue

By Shayna Wiwierski

The Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick is on the verge of a significant transformation aimed at revitalizing the local economy and enhancing the city’s appeal as a destination for events.

Originally opened in 2004, the center has served as a hub for community gatherings, but a 2012 study revealed that its current capacity is insufficient to meet the growing demands of both local residents and visitors.

The road to this expansion has not

been without its obstacles. Efforts to secure funding through public sales tax measures have faced three setbacks, prompting city officials to rethink their approach. Focus groups and surveys indicated a critical disconnect: while the convention center attracts many visitors from outside the area, local residents often do not take advantage of its offerings.

“We did a lot of focus groups and surveys and brought people in, oneon-one, to try to understand. What we found was we are very successful

in trying to bring people in from the outside of our community, but folks in our community didn’t see the need to support an expansion because they don’t use it,” says Corey Pearson, executive director of the Three Rivers Campus. “We bring in a lot of people from outside the community.”

In response, the Kennewick City Council shifted its strategy, advocating for a public-private partnership to fund the expansion. A significant milestone was reached when A1 Pearl Development Group, a local hotel

operator, announced plans to build a 158-room AC by Marriott hotel adjacent to the convention center. This collaboration is expected to enhance the venue’s attractiveness and support local businesses.

The expansion will add an additional 110,000 to 120,000 square feet to the convention center’s existing footprint of 80,000 square feet. Key features of the new design include a spacious 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall and 6,000 square feet of meeting rooms. Additional areas will include pre-function spaces, lobbies, a boardroom, kitchen, and storage space.

One of the most notable aspects of the expansion is its seamless integration with the existing structure. Visitors will enjoy a continuous flow from the current building into the new space, making it an ideal venue for a range of events, from trade shows to community functions.

The total cost of the expansion is estimated at around $71 million, with funding coming from existing taxes and revenues generated by the convention center itself. This financing approach allows the city council to utilize revenues from the center to support the project, alleviating any additional burden on local taxpayers.

The economic benefits of the expansion are expected to be significant. By increasing capacity for consumer shows, the convention center aims to attract larger crowds, keeping local hotels and restaurants busy.

“The one thing that the expansion will allow us to do is a lot more consumer shows. A lot of venues you can have a camper show, a home show, sportsmen shows, a lot of things like that which we have not been able to

By increasing capacity for consumer shows, the convention center aims to attract larger crowds, keeping local hotels and restaurants busy.

The expansion will not only enhance facilities, but also drive economic growth and foster a stronger local business ecosystem.

spacious 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall and 6,000 square feet of

do in the past,” says Pearson. “We will be able to bring a lot more people into the community and keep our restaurants and hotels full with this expansion. It will be a real boom for our economy.”

Construction is set to begin shortly after January 1, 2025, with an expected opening in late summer or early fall of 2026. However, project leaders are mindful of potential challenges, including budget constraints and fluctuating material costs. Recent discussions have underscored the importance of adaptable planning, particularly in light of unforeseen events like natural disasters.

Despite these challenges, optimism surrounds the project. Stakeholders believe the expansion will not only enhance facilities, but also drive economic growth and foster a stronger local business ecosystem. The development of the Three Rivers Convention Center represents a commitment to community pride and connection, setting the stage for Kennewick’s vibrant future.

“I think the best part of this project was bringing all these people into our community to help keep our restaurants full, attract new businesses that we can’t support every day and keep them viable,” says Pearson. “By bringing in all these people from the outside, they will help bring businesses to us that we can enjoy all year long. It sustains a significant number of jobs and ensures that sales tax revenue flows back into our community, supporting vital services like police, fire, and parks.” s

From promise to progress

Waiting on Amazon in Pasco

By Paul Adair

As the world’s largest online retailer and technology provider, Amazon has built a reputation for being able to deliver anything, anywhere.

For the people of Pasco, Wash., the company has delivered a bit of a rollercoaster.

As part of its strategy to double its logistical space during COVID-19 to meet growing demand during the pandemic, the Seattle-based Amazon announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into building two new massive warehouses in Pasco on South Road 40 East near Sacajawea State Park.

Pasco was chosen based on its growth, location and proximity to an established transportation hub.

“Railroads founded this community in the late 1800s, and we are blessed with a great extensive interstate and highway network, as well as a large and growing commercial airport –and let’s not overlook the waterway transportation system,” says Colin Hastings, executive director of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“What’s more, our proximity to Spokane, Seattle, Portland and Boise all make Pasco very attractive for commercial growth. Frankly, Pasco has it all.”

Chamber photo with WA Senator Perry Dozier (16th District; right) and Pasco Mayor Peter Serrano (second from right) and three Amazon warehouse employees.

Amazon’s two warehouses were constructed in 2021-22 by Amazon’s development partners, Ryan Companies Ltd., and were originally intended to become fulfillment centers that could support Amazon’s growing customer deliveries.

However, in 2022, the pandemic was drawing to a close and Amazon paused many of its warehouse expansion plans, not just locally in the Tri-Cities area but around the world. This left the two facilities – called Project Oyster and Project Pearl –sitting idle and empty, leaving many to wonder what exactly was going on – if anything – with Amazon’s promise of bringing jobs and economic benefits to Pasco.

However, the good news was that, even though tumbleweeds were blowing up against the doors of the now vacant buildings, something was indeed happening behind the scenes.

In 2022, Amazon chose to change up its plans and invested $10 million to retrofit the Project Oyster warehouse at 1351 South Road 40 East and convert the more than one-million square-foot building into its new Inbound Cross Dock (IBX)

“I had the pleasure of touring the facility, and the perspective from inside this gigantic facility leaves one awestruck. This brings a diversification of jobs to our area and diversification is good. It will attract even more businesses to explore our region to relocate or expand operations.”

– Colin Hastings, Pasco Chamber of Commerce

facility. Amazon’s IBX facilities can be thought of as being fulfillment centers for other fulfillment centers; accepting merchandise from its third-party vendors, processing it, and then sending it on to other Amazon warehouses across the country for distribution.

“It is very significant that Amazon chose Pasco for their package hub,” says Hastings. “I had the pleasure of touring the facility, and the perspective from inside this gigantic facility leaves one awestruck. This brings a diversification of jobs to our area and diversification is good. It will attract even more businesses to explore our region to relocate or expand operations.”

Opened in summer 2024, the new IBX employs more than 1,000 people, which is proving to be a long-term economic boost for both the city of Pasco, as well as the entire TriCities region, and adds to the overall growth being seen in Pasco. The IBX facility has also necessitated the construction of a smaller (by Amazon’s standards) 90,000-squarefoot delivery station on North Capitol Avenue. Code-named Project Hawk, this $24 million facility works in tandem with the larger IBX center as the ‘last leg’ of an Amazon delivery’s journey and employs 150 people.

The two facilities together are part of Amazon’s strategy of moving towards a more regionalized warehouse

network. While not promising sameday delivery, this network keeps many of the company’s most popular items in stock and warehoused close to customers’ homes in order to significantly decrease delivery times for local shoppers.

Despite the excitement of the new IBX and delivery station, however, there is still the matter of the large warehouse sitting complete – but unused – at 1202 South Road 40 East. As for Project Pearl, the official word from Amazon is that the

company has no definitive plans for the facility.

That said, Project Oyster can be looked at as proof that plans can easily change for the positive, and economic development leaders are hopeful for operations to begin late in 2025.

“We are all anxiously waiting for the other warehouse to become operational and know that, while a project of this scope takes time, it is well worth the wait,” says Hastings. s

Reviving democracy

Old fire station in Kennewick gets new life as elections center

By Shayna Wiwierski

An old fire station in Kennewick is getting a much-needed makeover, transforming into a vital space for civic engagement ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Benton County Elections Center in Kennewick, Washington, is an innovative project that transforms a decommissioned fire station into a state-of-the-art facility for conducting elections. Acquired by the County in 2022, the 5,900-square-foot space has undergone a comprehensive gut renovation to meet the demands of modern election processes while

enhancing operational efficiency.

With a construction budget of $3 million, this project exemplifies the County’s commitment to providing a secure and accessible environment for its 130,000 registered voters.

The renovation of the former fire station, built in the 1960s, began in January 2024 and completed construction in October of this year. This efficient timeline reflects careful planning and execution, overcoming challenges that arose during the design and construction phases.

into a state-of-the-art facility for conducting elections.

One of the project’s standout features is the extensive remodel that was undertaken. The general contractors, Kennewick-based Banlin Construction, and the design team successfully maintained the existing exterior walls while removing significant portions of the interior framing to create a modern, open space.

“We did a full gut and remodel and were able to utilize pretty much all the exterior walls. There was one major CMU load-bearing wall in the center of the structure that we had to maintain, but we cut open a good-sized opening

The Benton County Elections Center in Kennewick, Washington, is an innovative project that transforms a decommissioned fire station

The renovation of the former fire station, built in the 1960s, began in January 2024 and completed construction in October of this year.

for the ballot processing area,” says Riley Ollero, construction manager for Benton County. “It was a pretty extensive remodel with complete site renovations.”

A critical feature of the renovation includes the conversion of the fire engine garage into a dedicated ballot processing room, which will house a state-of-the-art 20-foot ballot sorting machine. This allows for efficient processing of ballots, a necessity for upcoming elections. Furthermore, many spaces within the facility are designed to be visibly open, facilitating transparent observation of the ballot tabulation process. This openness reinforces public trust in the electoral system.

The project included a complete facelift of the building’s interior, complemented by the installation of metal wall panels that harmonize with the aesthetic of the surrounding Benton County Kennewick Campus.

The project also included new flooring and a complete facelift of the building’s interior, complemented by the installation of metal wall panels that harmonize with the aesthetic of the surrounding Benton County Kennewick Campus. The dated roofline has also been replaced with materials that match with other structures on the Kennewick campus, enhancing the visual coherence of the public services area.

The selection of the former fire station as the location for the elections center was strategic. Situated at 7122 W. Okanogan Place, behind a Target and adjacent to the corrections facility jail, the site benefits from its proximity to other key offices within the Benton County Kennewick Campus. This

positioning facilitates operational synergy among election personnel, which is vital given that the facility will handle multiple elections throughout the year, including the November 2024 Presidential Election. State law allows for four to five elections annually, each requiring extensive preparation and coordination among various departments.

Once the election season concludes, the facility will continue to serve the community as a hub for voter registration, list maintenance and outreach efforts. Regular full-time election staff will use the space to train and prepare for upcoming election cycles, maximizing the utility of the facility year-round.

The Benton County Elections Center is designed with transparency and security in mind, offering optimal observation opportunities for the public, political parties and media. The architects, Spokane-based MMEC Architecture & Interiors, prioritized features that enhance both the safety of election workers and the integrity of the electoral process. By upgrading to a modern facility, the project not only improves the operational capabilities of the elections division, but also reinforces public trust in the electoral system.

The improvements to the site also include enhanced parking options, creating a more accessible environment for voters and election staff alike. By addressing logistical challenges, the project aims to streamline the elections process and foster community engagement.

The Benton County Elections Center is a forward-thinking project that repurposes an outdated fire station into a vital facility for the county’s electoral operations. Through innovative design and strategic planning, this renovation not only modernizes the building but also optimizes its function as a secure and efficient hub for election activities. As it prepares to serve the needs of Benton County voters, this project exemplifies a commitment to enhancing democratic processes and ensuring elections are conducted with transparency and integrity, ready to support the community well into the future.

“The goal of this project was to get that facility that was built in the 1960s and modernize it to match the County Administration building we built in 2020. I would say the architect and contractor did a fantastic job,” says Ollero. “It’s come together and blended really well with the campus.”s

Once the election season concludes, the facility will continue to serve the community as a hub for voter registration, list maintenance and outreach efforts.

Through innovative design and strategic planning, this renovation not only modernizes the building but also optimizes its function as a secure and efficient hub for election activities.