Kennewick weighs $230M in options for new pool, fire station & city hall. What’s next?
With a major expansion about to break ground at Three Rivers Convention Center, the Kennewick City Council has prioritized three major projects to tackle next.
It includes replacing two of its oldest facilities — the city hall building and the Kenneth Serier Memorial Pool — as well as constructing a new fire station in Southridge.
At its Tuesday meeting, the council weighed roughly $230 million in capital project options to improve city services, expand recreation opportunities and improve public safety.
That included several variations to replace the pool, the cost of which could range anywhere from nearly $12 million for a full-build outdoor facility to $51 million for a bells-and-whistles recreation complex.
But no concrete decisions have been made yet on the projects.
City Manager Erin Erdman told the Herald that city staff will begin with internal work and discussions on budgets, funding opportunities, locations, design and then bring them back to the council for consideration. With about $95 million in available debt capacity, the city is strategizing what its next investments will look like.
City officials also voiced support for future engagement with stakeholders and taxpayers.
$40 million for new city hall
The 60-year-old city hall, located south of downtown at 210 West 6th Ave., has risen as the top priority for elected officials and staff.
A new building on the campus is likely to cost $30-40 million, although the city is also weighing millions in much-needed renovations and maintenance.
About $7.5 million in improvements over the next two years are needed for the existing building, but that doesn’t account for $4 million for a leaky roof that has dumped rainwater onto employee desks.
The larger projects include at least $1 million each to replace the building’s failing HVAC system and make significant technology upgrades.
Simply renovating the city hall allows for a lower cost upfront and minimal disruption to city operations. But according to city documents, it also limits long-term scalability, keeps ongoing maintenance costs high, and future costs to replace the aging facility would only rise.
To contrast, a new city hall would cost less in the long term but bear a higher initial price. It would improve government function overall and provides a long-term solution for city services.
Kenneth Serier Replacement
The Kenneth Serier pool is three decades past its useful lifespan, and city staff and officials agree it’s in dire need of a replacement.
While the 70-year-old pool will likely be replaced — either with a $12 million outdoor or $22 million indoor facility — the big question is if the city will decide to pursue a full recreation complex with gymnasium, running track, aquatic space, cultural arts space, and youth and senior spaces.
The city could also consider a $13 million expansion to the Kennewick Activity Center and Gymnasium, located at 304 West 6th Ave. That would include adding turf facilities and youth activity spaces in the building.
A separate indoor turf facility may cost upwards of $24 million, and allow hosting of regional and national soccer, baseball, softball, football and lacrosse teams and competitions.
The city could recoup its investment and operational costs through rentals, in-house league usage, camps, concessions sales and advertisement.
A new recreation leisure pool and replacement of the large pool could cost around $12 million, in one design. Annual maintenance and operational costs would be about a half-million dollars, with operating revenues about $387,000.
An indoor facility could cost nearly $22 million. Annual maintenance costs could be more than $613,000, with revenues forecasted at $289,000.
$13 million fire station in Southridge
One of the fastest growing parts of the Tri-Cities is due to get its own fire station.
Kennewick Fire Station 6 will be located on city property near the corner of Bob Olson Parkway and Colorado Street to serve Southridge neighborhoods.
The $13 million, 12,500-square-foot station will address rising service needs in the area and maintain effective response times across the city. Staffing will be paid with a previously approved utility fee increase.
When it opens in 2027 or 2028, annual calls for services to the station are forecasted to hit 1,000.
Kennewick Fire Department reported a 37% increase in calls between 2018 and 2023. More than 13,000 calls were made in 2023 alone in the city of 86,000.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 12:00 AM.
