New golf resort will showcase sweeping Eastern WA riverfront near Tri-Cities
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Developers propose resort-style golf course on 300-acre Snake River vineyard site.
- Project may help reopen Levey Park, closed due to federal budget reductions.
- Team seeks Corps lease to improve park, targeting fall 2025 construction start.
One of the world’s leading golf course designers could soon bring his talents to a sweeping riverfront property 20 minutes from the Tri-Cities.
And a Snake River park that was shut down by federal budget cuts could see big benefits from the course as its new neighbor.
The golf course is expected to begin taking shape as soon as developers get approval, potentially as early as this fall. It’s the dream of a group of Tri-Citians who spent their youth enjoying summer days at Levey Park in Franklin County.
The park was one of many in the area closed this year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after federal budget cuts left the Corps without the resources to staff the parks. They hope to reopen Levey Park by next summer, but county leaders say it’s fallen into disrepair.
When the Gordon family began shutting down winery operations on the hillsides above the park, the group saw an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Eastern Washington and the Snake River.
North 44, which is run by Ben Harris and Kennewick Councilman Brad Beauchamp, is partnering with Keith and Jordan Tiegs to transform the picturesque 300-acre property that was once home to vineyards and a cherry orchard. It borders Levey Park and nearly a mile of Snake River shoreline.
“Every place you go on the property gives you a different view and emotions,” Harris told the Herald. “We want to come in and put it on the map, I think the land warrants that.”
World class golf destination
They’re partnering with world-renowned golf course designer David McLay Kidd, who is best known for courses that showcase sweeping views on rolling hills and cliffsides.
Kidd has designed courses from Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast to the St. Andrews Links “Castle Course” in his native Scotland.
Right now they’re in the process of applying for a special use permit to start work on the course.
The golf course is expected to be open within about two years if they can break ground this fall.
While the vision started as a resort-style course, they want to be clear that this plan is meant to be something the Tri-Cities can enjoy while also showcasing the beauty of the region.
“We’ve got 300,000 people right here,” Harris said of the Tri-City area’s population.
They’re likely to open some of the property up to home sites, and have plans for a pro shop, restaurant, bar and more. They haven’t settled on plans for including resort accomodations yet, Harris said.
The average size of an 18-hole golf course is about 150-acres, according to the U.S. Golf Association.
He said that between their own plans and the potential for as many as 50 high-end homes on or near the course, the total investment in the area could reach over $200 million.
The Snake River property stretches along a mile of shoreline past Levey Park, which the developers hope to help revitalize.
The site was home to hundreds of acres of vineyards and about 60 acres of cherry orchards. Harris said much of the land is no longer productive enough to cover costs.
In recent years Washington winemakers have been scaling back production as excess supply, declining demand and fierce competition have cut into profits. Many have consolidated operations or shifted to production partnerships.
Gordon Brothers Winery and the Kamiak Vineyards, which grew on the Snake River property, filed for bankruptcy in 2020. The family still operates a tasting room under the Gordon Estate label at the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village in Kennewick.
The vineyards along the river have been ripped out, but some of the growing areas on the hilltops were still in use this season through a produce company owned by the Tiegs.
Revitalizing a popular park
Right now, the group is working to determine if there’s a path forward to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a 50-acre lease for improvements at the park as part of their vision.
At the very least, they want to convince them that the park is worth keeping open, whether it continues to be maintained by the Corps or through a partnership to maintain the grounds.
The discussion came up recently at a Franklin County Commissioners meeting. County leaders said they aren’t interested in getting into the park business, so the idea of a land conveyance isn’t likely. They do want to see the park reopened.
Franklin County Planning Director Wes McCart said the developers are moving forward with a special use permit to start on the golf course and the larger resort plan will factor into the county’s comprehensive plan update next year.
There will be an opportunity for public comment on the special use permit and as part of the comprehensive planning process. Comments can be submitted through the comprehensive planning page on Franklin County’s website.
McCart said the facilities at the park are in pretty bad shape and would likely need to be renovated.
“You’ve got this beautiful, amazing waterfront park and it’s locked up,” Harris said. “I grew up in Burbank, I hit all these parks my entire life, Levey was the place to go back then. We just felt like it was a shame, we felt like (if we can help) it was a major win for everyone.”
So they asked themselves, “How can we help? How can we get involved?”
Harris said he has an existing lease for his businesses with the Corps near Ice Harbor Dam.
Any agreement with the Corps will likely require some support from Eastern Washington’s Congressional delegation. He anticipates a minimum 18 to 24 months before they know whether the government is open to a partnership.
McCart said that while commissioners are limited in what they can discuss ahead of the hearing, they have been hoping to learn more about Corps plans for the park.
He said it sounds like commissioners are leaning toward recommending the developers work with the Corps directly.
The commissioners approved sending a letter to the developers this week saying they are not interested in managing the park through the county, but that they are not opposed to the group pursuing a management agreement through the Corps.
McCart said that while a lease with the Corps could take a while to work out, that doesn’t mean the Corps can’t get the park back open in the meantime.
“The idea is, ‘How do we get the park going again?’” McCart said. “I think the commissioners will probably encourage our congressional delegation and the Corps to get that park back to a functioning, open park. I know that’s a goal of the commissioners.”
While it’s still early in the planning process, Harris said his team is excited to get started on the golf course and eager to share more plans, including an official name, once they’re further along.
