$9M+ coming for Tri-Cities affordable housing, police academy, more
The Tri-Cities will benefit from more than $9 million earmarked in the 2026 supplemental capital budget, which was passed this month by the Washington Legislature.
It will pay for several public construction projects in the region — from housing to police academies and schools — and brings total capital investments to more than $100 million this biennium.
The biggest Tri-Cities allocation in the supplemental budget is $3.2 million to clean up the largest stockpile of abandoned tires in the state.
State Sen. Matt Boehnke, and Reps. April Connors and Stephanie Barnard, said in a joint statement that these investments will “help our communities meet current needs and plan for future growth.”
“In the 8th (Legislative) District and throughout the Tri-Cities region, the capital budget reflects long-term investment in the places and services that shape daily life,” the lawmakers said.
“Together, these investments will strengthen communities, support local jobs, improve safety and reliability, and help ensure the 8th district and the Tri-Cities region continue to grow in a way that serves families, workers and future generations.”
Projects funded in the supplement across the region include:
- $3.2 million for the Twin Bridges Road tire pile cleanup in Richland.
- $1.5 million for the Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity to build 18 affordable, owner-occupied town home duplexes in West Richland.
- $1.5 million for HVAC replacements and water-source heat pump improvements at Finley School District.
- $1 million for improvements at the Pasco Regional Police Academy.
- $600,000 for the fiber hut HVAC replacement at the city of Richland.
- $447,000 for canal lining at the Kennewick Irrigation District.
- $309,000 for HVAC improvements and security upgrades at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.
- $258,000 for the Port of Pasco’s Symbiosis Park North American analysis.
- $258,000 for the Port of Pasco’s Reimann expansion engineering master plan.
- $150,000 for the renovation of living spaces at the Richland Transitional Veterans Home.
- $93,000 for asbestos abatement at the Kennewick City Activity Center.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 1:26 PM.
