Kennewick couple say their $2 million project is desperately needed in Tri-Cities

Crews have broken ground on what will be a state-of-the-art indoor RV and boat storage to Kennewick.

The $2 million project up the road from Kamiakin High and off Edison Street will create 45 indoor storage units for ‘anything with an engine,’ said co-owner Scott Mitchell.

Mitchell and his wife Alaina are developing the Kamiakin RV and Boat Storage on West Hood Ave.

Lee Petty of LCR Construction in Richland began the work a few weeks ago, and the project is expected to wrap up in mid-December.

While the COVID-19 pandemic slightly delayed the project, Mitchell said the forced stay-home guidelines prompted lots more interest in RVs and boats.

“There is a demand for storage that is greater than ever before,” he said, adding he and his wife have always felt there is a lack of recreational vehicle storage in Tri-Cities.

The couple are Tri-City natives graduated from Kamiakin High School, and their two teens also are now Kamiakin students.

RV sales have skyrocketed across the county even amid the pandemic.

Shipments in July were more than 53 percent higher than July 2019, with 43,035 units heading to consumers, according to the RV Industry Association.

Mitchell ultimately bought the land from a close family friend who had planned on building mini storage. The property is snuggled between Edison Street Mini Storage and GarageTown that caters to small businesses.

“We thought the synergy of being across from a mini storage and by Garage Town, RV storage would complement it, not compete,” Mitchell said.

He told the Herald the storage facility will be state of the art with electric gates, a security system with monitoring, and the three steel buildings will be on a paved sit and enclosed by fencing.

Units will come in four sizes. The largest doors on 31 units will be 12 feet by 14 feet. And the units will be 40 to 46 feet deep.

Monthly rental fees will range from $230 to $350 and can be managed exclusively via an app that still is being developed.

“Our goal is to be affordable,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell still has two adjacent lots that face Hood Avenue that he’s marketing for commercial development, he said.

If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Allison Stormo at astormo@tricityherald.com.

This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM.