Tri-Cities projects reshape housing, retail and tourism

The curated articles highlight the dynamic development taking place in the Tri-Cities region. They collectively emphasize urban growth, infrastructure upgrades, and economic expansion. Major projects transform the area and fuel demand for new services. A $71.5 million investment in Kennewick expands the Three Rivers Convention Center, showcasing the region's commitment to attracting large-scale events. Additions include a meeting hall that can host varied sports, indicating an increase in tourism-driven activities. The opening of Five Below in Richland marks a retail expansion, supporting an affordable shopping experience for residents.

An extensive wind energy project faces challenges due to environmental protections for ferruginous hawks, underscoring the balancing act between development and conservation efforts in the region. The proposal reflects considerations of ecosystem impacts while seeking energy advancements. Overall, the articles demonstrate how the Tri-Cities is evolving through strategic infrastructural enhancements, innovative recreational facilities, and economic growth initiatives, impacting urban life and boosting the local economy.

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Workers install windows at the new Blueberry Bridal Boutique store being constructed in the Port of Kennewick's Vista Field develpoment area in west Kennewick. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 1: WHAT’S BEING BUILT THERE? $11M HOLIDAY INN + TRI-TECH’S $46M REMODEL

Welcome to “What’s being built there?” This regular Tri-City Herald feature gives brief descriptions of building projects shaping the future of the Tri-Cities and beyond. | Published October 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

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Construction activity is bustling recently on tandem projects at the Three Rivers Convention Center and Toyota Center campus in west Kennewick near Vista Field. Workers are busy with the $71.5 million expansion and renovation of the Three Rivers Convention Center and on the $47 million, 162-room AC Hotel by Marriott project by A-1 Hospitality Group. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 2: $71.5M CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION ABOUT TO GO VERTICAL IN KENNEWICK

A sprawling construction site in the heart of Kennewick is about to get a whole lot more interesting to casual passersby. | Published October 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

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Gina Zejdlik, Atlas Agro director of policy and government relations, and Dan Holmes, Atlas Agro North America executive director, stand in March 2023 at the 150 acres on the northern edge of Richland the Port of Benton commission voted to sell to the company earlier in the day. Atlas Agro plans to build the first-ever carbon-free fertilizer production plant at a cost of $1.1 billion on the land. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 3: TRUMP’S $7.5B ENERGY CUTS TAKE $157M OUT OF PRIZED RICHLAND PROJECT

The Trump Administration’s move to cut what it calls wasteful spending on green energy projects has blown a $157.3 million hole in Richland’s dream of building a major fertilizer plant. | Published October 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

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Clouds glide past the wind turbines on the hills south of Kennewick. The Horse Heaven wind farm project would stretch an additional 24 miles along the hills south of Kennewick. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 4: WA’S LARGEST PROPOSED WIND FARM COULD SHRINK. KEY DECISION EXPECTED

More limitations may be placed on where wind turbines can be built along the Horse Heaven Hills, cutting the number of turbines visible from the Tri-Cities, under a proposed plan to protect endangered ferruginous hawks. | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

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A drawing has been released of the planned Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, a small modular nuclear reactor planned about 10 miles northwest of Richland near Energy Northwest’s traditional nuclear power reactor. The Columbia River is in the distance.

NO. 5: WA 1ST SMALL MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTORS TEAM PICKED TO BUILD NEAR RICHLAND

Energy Northwest has picked a team to plan, design and build the first four of 12 X-energy small modular advanced nuclear reactors near its traditional nuclear power reactor, Columbia Generating Station, north of Richland in Eastern Washington. | Published October 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

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Construction crews work on Columbia Basin College’s $28 million “Polaris” building at the corner of Argent Road and 20th Avenue in Pasco. The three-story student housing facility will serve 162 residents when it opens in the fall 2026. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 6: WHAT’S BEING BUILT THERE? $71.5M CONVENTION CENTER + STUDENT HOUSING + TOWN HOMES

Welcome to “What’s being built there?” This periodic feature aims to answer questions from Tri-City Herald subscribers about the construction projects shaping our region. | Published November 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Wendy Culverwell

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Staff member Natalia Kondratkaia stirs in seasoning she added to a pot of Borscht soup she was making at the Opportunity Kitchen in a restaurant space at the Federal Building in Richland. She is a graduate of the program operated by Columbia Ability Alliance. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 7: A WINNING RECIPE. NONPROFIT’S BIG MOVE WILL HELP EXPAND TRI-CITIES JOB TRAINING

A Tri-Cities job training program is getting ready to make a move that will let their students help people in recovery. | Published November 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

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So far in 2023, four people have died in vehicle collisions at the Highway 395 intersection with Selph Landing and Crestloch Roads in Franklin County about five miles north of Pasco. The Washington State Department of Transportation made improvements at the intersection in 2021. The state improved turn lanes, acceleration lanes and provided more space in the median. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 8: ‘DEATH TRAP.’ FRANKLIN LEADERS DEMAND CHANGES TO LETHAL STRETCH OF HWY 395

Tri-City leaders are pushing for help from Washington state and the federal government to address a deadly stretch of highway. | Published November 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.