Port proposes shade structure for Clover Island

KENNEWICK — The Port of Kennewick plans to have it made in the shade on Clover Island.

A proposal by the port to build a 1,150-square-foot shade structure on a portion of the island's Metz Family Plaza passed scrutiny of the Kennewick Planning Commission this week. It goes to the city council on April 6 for a formal decision.

The structure would be constructed with laminated heavy timbers, curved to resemble the lines of a boat, and have wire cables strung from high posts as in a sailing ship.

Chris Baugh of Arculus Design in Kennewick said the idea is to evoke a nautical theme and make something reminiscent of the nearby cable bridge.

Instead of having sails made of fabric or metal, evergreen wisteria will be grown along the wires, filling in the spaces to give the appearance of a sail while adding shade and a pleasant smell during spring and summer.

By using the climbing vine instead of expensive fabric or metal, cost of the project dropped from more than $100,000 to about $40,000, Baugh said.

"The original concept was to use a fabric structure to mimic the sails of boats at the marina. But cost considerations were higher than they wanted," he said.

"It's an old idea of a trellis and arbor, but turned on its side," he said.

"It will be spindly at first but will look really good as the plants grow and mature in three to five years," Baugh said.

Larry Peterson, director of planning and development for the port, said the shade structure is one more feature for Clover Island's new look.

"Enhancing public places along the waterfront is part of the port's vision for Clover Island. This also complements the public art piece that will be placed there," Peterson said.

Assuming everything goes as desired, construction could begin in June and be done by Aug. 1.

The shade structure also will shelter a piece of public art that depicts a family with adults and children with arms outstretched in a family hug, said Tana Bader-Inglima, the port's director of governmental relations and marketing.

The sculpture created by Richard Warrington of Cheney was one submitted for the Tri-Cities Business and Visitors Center on Deschutes Avenue near the Three Rivers Convention Center. It then became a candidate for public art at Clover Island, and when the Columbia Center Rotary Club offered to participate in a project the Family Group sculpture was selected, Bader-Inglima said.

"It was always something we wanted in developing the plaza," she said.

The Rotary Club and port commission put up $15,000 each for the sculpture, and other individual donors contributed the balance of the $40,000, she said.

Peterson said the next project this summer for Clover Island is a pathway that follows the shoreline and connects the gateway to the lighthouse. New plantings along the walkway also will add interest.