CELEBRATING
August 2021 Volume 20 | Issue 8
Young Professionals
A specialty publication of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business Page C1
YEARS
Massive warehouses to bring 1,200 jobs to east Pasco By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz
Two industrial distribution centers, each more than 1 million square feet, are planned near Sacajawea State Park. The Ryan Companies of Bellevue is developing the two facilities under separate code names, “Project Oyster” and “Project Pearl,” on either side of South Road 40 East near Lakeview Trailer Court. The sites are north of the state park in east Pasco. The two warehouses will employ nearly 1,200, according to documents filed under
Washington’s State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) that describe both in technical detail without identifying the tenant. It is common for large projects to operate under code names until the businesses behind them are ready to make public disclosures. Ryan hasn’t identified its tenant, but three people with knowledge of the project referred to “Project Oyster” as a fulfillment center for Seattle-based Amazon Inc. Marc Gearhart, vice president for real estate development for Ryan, said he could not comment by the deadline for this edition of the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business. The
tenant did not respond to questions submitted through Gearhart’s office. The two projects will face one another across South Road 40 East and are similar in most respects. “Oyster” is on the east side of Road 40 and construction has started. “Pearl” is on the west and construction has not started. SEPA approvals were issued in May and June, and the city of Pasco issued permits for excavation and foundation work for Project Oyster. Project Oyster will be a distribution wareuWAREHOUSES, Page A3
Costco-anchored Broadmoor helps Pasco boom By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz
Nonprofits
New nonprofit wants to employ more workers on the spectrum Page A25
Real Estate & Construction
Golf simulator chain swings into Richland Page B1
NOTEWORTHY “You can’t stop a
pandemic, but you can’t let it stop your business either. You just have to make it work; you just have to find a way.”
- Elaina Morrow, owner, RoseLily Bridal
Page A35
Word that Costco likely will anchor new development at Pasco’s Broadmoor Boulevard would normally be one of the year’s top business stories. But 2021 is shaping up as one for the records as one eye-popping development deal after another breaks in Pasco. Collectively, new development at Broadmoor coupled with at least three new food processors and a pair of distribution warehouses each more than 1 million square feet promise to transform Pasco, a city that has long braced for at least 50,000 newcomers by 2038. The latest round of new development will easily top $1 billion and bring thousands of jobs to the community. Pasco, the city boasted in a recent press release, is the envy of economic developers across the region. At Broadmoor, the area along Road 100, the city acknowledges Costco is expected to occupy the northwest corner of Broadmoor Boulevard and the future extension of Sandifur Parkway. The company itself has not yet confirmed its plans for a second Tri-Cities location and did not respond to a request for comment. The other top deals include a new Darigold Inc. plant, a new Reser’s Fine Foods plant, a new Local Bounti greenhouse complex, the Port of Pasco’s Osprey Point mixed-use development agreement and even the city’s own Lewis Street Overpass project.
Photo by Wendy Culverwell A residential development takes shape in the Broadmoor area of western Pasco. In a normal year, word that Costco would build its second Tri-City store nearby would be the biggest business story of the year. But in 2021, it is one of many important developments.
On top of that, Ryan Companies, a Bellevue developer, has begun construction on one of two distribution warehouses near Sacajawea State Park that will rank among the largest buildings in the state.
The Association of Washington Business said it will highlight Pasco’s successes during its annual Manufacturing Week uBROADMOOR, Page A11
Kennewick golf manager eyes tour after U.S. Senior Open appearance By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz
A Kennewick golf pro is considering joining the senior tour after he qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, held July 7-11 at the Omaha, Nebraska, Country Club. Lionel Kunka, manager of Golf Universe in Kennewick, missed the cut after he shot a 79 and an 81 in the first two rounds. But it was a rewarding experience and his strong performance against difficult playing conditions prompted his biggest fan to push him to rededicate himself to the sport he played professionally in his younger years. Kunka, 55, said he may well do it. With support of his employer Chris Eerkes, who owns the golf business, as well as friend and sponsor Dave Retter, Kunka said he’s giving serious thought to returning to
the life of a touring professional. Retter is pushing him to enter the qualifying round for The Boeing Classic, a PGA tour being held Aug. 16-22 at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge. About 100 players will vie for four spots in the qualifying round on the Monday preceding the event. “I’m thinking about it,” Kunka said. “Dave wants me to sign up for it and I think I will.” Retter is president and owner of Retter & Co. | Sotheby’s International Realty, the Mid-Columbia’s largest residential firm. Retter and Eerkes sponsored Kunka’s trip to Nebraska after developing close friendships through their regular golf dates. Retter liked what he saw in Nebraska. The man he considers the best golfer in uKUNKA, Page A4
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