Letter: Kennewick’s urban wine village project is out of control

In response to the development of the urban wine village (TCH, May 9), why is the Port of Kennewick drafting a design that is not a common-built structure around here?

The city’s design comes from buildings that are found in the historic Napa Valley. The port says that it’s the contractor’s fault for the overdraft of a million in their bids because “the result of a robust construction market and an unusual design that contractors considered too risky.”

Last time I checked, a strong market isn’t a problem for what the price of construction entails. These contractors don’t think it’s risky either; this is just made up to make you think it’s the contractor’s fault. These contractors are highly skilled and familiar with this type of structure and did their jobs correctly by making a bid — which costs them money and they are not reimbursed whatsoever — for the cost of the construction of this structure.

The port just expected it to be $3.2 million and was 25 percent off on its budget. This is just another out-of-control, tax-sucking project from the port.

This story was originally published May 30, 2016 at 2:41 AM with the headline "Letter: Kennewick’s urban wine village project is out of control."