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KENNEWICK -- Several people who showed up Thursday to hear a consultant's report on possible revitalization strategies for Columbia Drive's riverfront real estate gave the proposal a tentative passing grade.
"It is better than the last one," said Rudy Jesernig, who owns land at the blue bridge end of the study's target area where there is a mobile home park and the former Off the Highway Motel.
Jesernig kept quiet during the hourlong feedback session attended by about 40 people at the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick. Consultant Tom Beckwith and Kennewick city officials led the open house.
Jesernig told the Herald he is all for having taller buildings along the river side of Columbia Drive. "Put them right on the riverfront," he said, adding that he already has a plan and a model of what he envisions.
"It's a good start. (The consultant and city) are paying attention to the people and listening," Jesernig said.
Jesernig's property is where Beckwith recommends one of the first projects be done because it would be highly visible and could inspire other property owners to do their own revitalization projects.
The open house followed six neighborhood meetings conducted in October and November to hear what property owners and residents want in the area that's showing signs of neglect and blight.
Several maps and diagrams were displayed at the meeting to show the public how suggested road layouts, trails and streetscapes could improve the area between the cable and blue bridges, with the river on the north and Canal Drive and the railroad tracks on the south.
"I feel it is a good process," said Andy Rouse, who with his wife is renovating some houses at Benton Street and Deschutes Avenue.
"The graphics give a good outline of ideas for access to the river," he said.
Rouse's wife Elana said access to the river will be a big improvement if it can be done and the city stays committed to getting the revitalization completed.
"It's great to see the city capitalize on the river," said Elana, who added the water is the Tri-Cities' best asset.
"It's great how the city is allowing the property owners and residents to be involved (in the revitalization planning process)," Andy Rouse said.
Allison Vinci, who lives in a mobile home park along Columbia Drive, hesitated in endorsing the ideas.
She was concerned that revitalization of the area could end up forcing low-income people out.
"There must be diversity of housing for people who need an affordable place and have limited incomes," Vinci said.
Beckwith noted that the revitalization plan tries to accommodate all income ranges, which he called "a truly mixed and sustainable community."
Skip Novakovich, who owns a printing business and is a Port of Kennewick commissioner, said he was disappointed the revitalization study being done by Beckwith for the city seemed to ignore the findings and recommendations of a downtown and riverfront study he helped lead nine years ago.
"It's almost a complete disregard for what we did," he said, adding that the Port of Kennewick's study prepared recently by Arculus Design and Technical Services of Kennewick also appears to be ignored.
"We were under the impression this would be a refining of our plan," Novakovich said. He noted, however, that the new study does have some good elements.
Beckwith said there will be plenty of opportunity for public input, both to the Kennewick Planning Commission and the Kennewick City Council.
The next phase is to look at how to pay for the revitalization ideas.
Beckwith said the options include public dollars such as government grants, developer financing as well as private landowner money.
How each piece of the big project is done over time will be different because property owners have to be involved, Beckwith said.
More information about the Bridge-to-Bridge revitalization study as well as results of a community survey are available on the city's website, www.ci.kennewick.wa.us.
-- John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com
