Is Kennewick's mysterious waterfront ready for prime time?

It's one of the most visible properties in the Tri-Cities, with about 55,000 cars passing by every day.

And it sits undeveloped, a 30-acre blank canvas nestled beside the blue bridge and Columbia River in Kennewick.

The privately owned property, once home to a cherry orchard, a mobile home park and a roadside motel, has long held the promise of a bustling urban village. Many have envisioned it populated by hotels, condominiums, retail stores and restaurants on the Kennewick shoreline.

The current ownership said as much when they purchased 21 acres for $3 million from the Jesernig family five years ago.

The partnership, DH Land LLC, initially consisted of majority owner Steve West and minority owners Corey Bitton of Pasco and Jim Bullis of Kennewick.

Today, West is the sole owner of BH Land, according to state corporation records.

There's been little physical progress since the optimistic words of 2013. Ground up asphalt from local road repaving projects is one of the few signs of activity. A land use expert who asked not to be identified said asking prices for the unique site may be too high for the current real estate market.

"If there's a vacant piece of property, there's a reason."

But a recent application to amend the Kennewick comprehensive plan and to rezone a small corner of the property offers a tantalizing hint that change could be coming.

West together with Doug Overturf, owner of the neighboring Overturf Volkswagen Kia, applied to the city to amend its comprehensive plan and rezone the street-facing parcels.

If approved, the Overturf lot and the surrounding parcels will share the same mixed-use zoning as the rest of the neighborhood.

Their respective requests clearly state that no development is planned at the moment.

"Proposal is for a change in land use designation and zoning. No request for site development at this time," reads one such passage, in the dry language of municipal planning. The city's economic development director confirmed there are no discussions about developing the site.

West declined to discuss plans for the area, called "Kennewick Gardens" in Benton County property records.

County records indicate BW Land owns 22 parcels in the neighborhood, covering 30 mostly contiguous acres . Most are undeveloped, save for several single-family homes and a pair of pole barns on West Klamath Avenue, near North Jean Street.

The properties have a combined taxable value of $3.8 million and are assessed $48,500 in property taxes.

Overturf said that rezoning his property will keep the land use rules consistent across the neighborhood, which is key to attracting investors. Overturf is eager to see progress on the city's "Bridge to Bridge" revitalization plan for the area between the blue and cable bridges.

That includes bringing visitor-friendly development to the vacant acres. To the east, the Port of Kennewick and city are transforming the Columbia Gardens property into a wine- and culinary-themed destination.

An observer said it's telling that Overturf is pursuing a rezone that will make his own business a nonconforming use. It's positive a sign of his commitment to the revitalization of Columbia Drive and to the economics of developing prime waterfront.

For his part, Overturf affirmed his commitment to local improvement and said there are no plans to move the car dealerships.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said. "I want to help this area of town."

The Overturf family established its business at West Columbia Drive between North Jean and Kent streets in 1987 and constructed the current buildings in 2005. Overturf didn't rule out an eventual sale, but said it would fall to the next generation when his daughter takes over.

This story was originally published May 13, 2018 at 3:29 PM with the headline "Is Kennewick's mysterious waterfront ready for prime time?."