Growth in Tri-Cities Not Without Challenges

By John Collett                           Story Published: Jul 1, 2011 at 6:11 PM PDT


TRI-CITIES -- The Tri-Cities community has grown significantly in the past decade and experts say that will continue strong for another ten years. In fact, a new report KEPR first told you about last week has our community getting bigger by about 35 percent in less than ten years.

Thought of more growth are astounding to Tri-Cities local Barb Maheu, who has already seen major changes in her day.

“They have all that new housing in west Pasco and really it expanded, Kennewick is more crowded cause they didn't have that mall at all,” said Maheu. “I mean when I was born here like 60 years ago, they didn't have any of that.”

The 35 percent prediction is going to need some help according to TRIDEC President Carl Adrian.

“This dream will only come true if there are jobs in the community and there's a reason for people to come in,” said Adrian.

Even if the jobs come, the idea of all that growth may be a double-edged sword, that could affect the quality of life that people here enjoy. One of the major areas of concern is how the schools would handle growth since they’re already filled to the max.

“It's harder for them to finance new buildings and that sort of thing,” added Adrian. “So that kind of growth would be a concern.”

Real estate agent Paul Roy is well aware of the growth and what can happen when it’s not handled correctly.

“Not all growth is good growth, and most people you talk to are pro smart growth,” said Roy. “What we look at that is having the infrastructure in place, having the services to service that growth and not just grow for the sake of growing.”

A bonus would likely come to homes though as they expect an increase in housing prices for homeowners, and bring an overall boom to the market.

“Right now there's some issues there,” said Roy. “Especially in what we call affordable housing under 200 it's very tight, very slow.”

TRIDEC explained they don't expect growth to be an issue on healthcare since Kadlec and KGH both plan to expand. Traffic may be an issue, but it's all relative.

For Maheu though, some things will never change.

“It still feels like it’s kind of an ideal town,” said Maheu.

TRIDEC also tells Action News the 35 percent estimate seems a bit high, and guesses it will be more like 20 percent. That would still mean an additional 50,000 people in our community over the next ten years.

Kennewick: A housing market to watch in 2011 (Inman)

Three structures at 300 Area of the U.S. Department of Energy's Handford Site are demolished with explosives on Oct. 9, 2010. Handford demolition and cleanup work is helping drive the Kennewick area economy. (Handford/U.S. Department of Energy)

The Kennewick area is one of “10 real estate markets to watch in 2011,” according to Inman News.

“(H)ousing appreciation in the Kennewick area remained modest while the rest of the country was experiencing a boom,” the real estate news service wrote Friday.

The metro area has fairly low unemployment compared to the national rate and was one of three markets on the list to see household income rise between 2008 and 2009. Population and in-migration from other states also rose during that time, each up 4.2 percent. Median sales price in the Kennewick market rose 8.9 percent from fourth-quarter 2009 to fourth-quarter 2010.

And there’s economic strength in Kennewick, Don Havre, broker at The Real Estate Firm there, told Inman.

We are a transportation hub with rail, barge traffic and (a) freeway network. Our economy includes agriculture, with its growing grape/wine market, high-tech companies like Infinia, which manufactures generators powered by the sun’s energy, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and the Hanford Project.

Speaking of federal projects, the No. 1 market to watch was Washington, D.C. No other Northwest areas made the list.

Aubrey Cohen

Aubrey Cohen is the aerospace and real estate reporter for seattlepi.com. 

Home Staging Tips That Focus on Largest Customer Segments

RISMEDIA, December 18, 2010—Selling a home in any market can be competitive. It’s essential that your sellers follow some simple, yet important tips to help make their home more salable.

A quicker home sale can be reached by keeping in mind the needs of the home’s most likely buyer and creating a fresh inspiring look just for them, according to Pulte Homes expert Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising.

“Everyone understands the value of de-cluttering, cleaning and refreshing a home in today’s competitive market,” Jones said. “The difference between a ‘For Sale’ and a ‘Sold’ sign often boils down to effectively staging a home to appeal to young singles, families or empty nesters—the three largest customer segments that are likely to buy your home. Home sellers should have a good idea of the type of buyer who will make an offer and, since everyone likes an updated home, some simple refreshes can achieve an updated look and feel.”

Jones recommends conducting a technology overhaul prior to staging your home. “Old technology will date your home and you seldom have a second chance to make a positive first impression,” she said. “Flat screen TVs, laptop computers, iPods with docking stations and wireless technology have eliminated the need for large bulky entertainment centers or massive desks designed to hide wiring. Once you’ve rid your home of bulky, dated stereos and TVs, it’s time to hone in on attracting prospects.”

Here are a few, additional ideas:

For singles, Jones recommends emphasizing sleeping spaces and the living room, which are critical to this group. “Singles will spend a lot of time in the living room and the bedroom, which are their sanctuaries from the outside world. As a result, there is no need to set the dining room table with place settings,” Jones said. “Instead, focus on a simple TV stand with clean lines, a flat screen TV and candles in the bedroom and bathroom.”

Young families tend to revolve around children. Items that help this demographic envision themselves living in the space include age-appropriate bedding, linens and towels, a bright rug near play areas, and strategically placed toy chests with open tops. Since kids often play or watch TV on the floor, eliminate the coffee table to create a living room that appears larger and more inviting. Jones notes to remember about the garage when staging for families. “Organize children’s toys and sports equipment to showcase the garage’s storage capacity without compromising functionality,” she said.

Empty nesters tend to seek an upgrade in quality features. Upgrading bath accessories like towel bars and toilet paper holders or decorative hanging lights to a better quality and newer style will make an impact. If the budget allows, upgrading the refrigerator, stove and dishwasher can draw in a buyer.

Lighting is also a key feature for this group. Jones advises ensuring living spaces maximize natural light. If lighting is less than ideal, add lamps or a ceiling fan with light fixtures. It’s important to open heavy blinds or window coverings when showing the home.

An absolute “must” for home stagers regardless of which demographic is being targeted is color. Most sellers are instructed to use neutral colors when repainting. However, adding the right punch of color to accent walls can create depth, enhance kitchen cabinets, or bring a boring bathroom to life.

Homeowners can find color in simple accessories, like throw pillows, coffee table books, and decorative canisters. Neutral colors in flooring materials, upholstery pieces and window dressing work well because they enhance brighter accents.

When choosing colors, Jones cautions homeowners to be aware of their sensory impact:

- Red is stimulating and encourages self confidence
- Orange promotes happiness and celebration
- Yellow is uplifting and light-hearted
- Blue is calming in softer tones and promotes clarity in deeper tones
- Green is the color of nature—it feels fresh and rejuvenating
- Aqua is restful while pink is gentle and sweet—making a great pair
- Purple tones bring out a sense of compassion

“The key is to experiment and put yourself in the shoes of the prospective home buyer,” Jones said. “It may be helpful to ask a friend or relative for a brutally honest opinion before and after you start staging. You may be surprised how little changes—with a little budget—can make a huge difference to a prospective buyer.”

Richland OKs annexation; 1 more vote needed - Mid-Columbia News | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news

RICHLAND — Just one more city council decision is all that stands in the way of Richland annexing 1,878 new acres where a city-size development is planned.

The Richland City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the ordinance annexing the land south of Badger Mountain and just west of Rancho Reata with no discussion, except a brief thumbs up from Councilman David Rose.

"I think it's great we have a petition that is signed by 100 percent of the property owners for annexation," Rose said.

Mayor John Fox noted that's a rarity for annexations into the city.

But every ordinance takes two votes for final passage. The council will vote on the annexation again Dec. 7.
Rick Simon, the city's development services manager, said if the council approves the annexation ordinance a second time, that will be the final step toward bringing the land into the city.

It's been a process years in the making, from the city's first suggestion that it should grow to the south back in 2002.

The proposal to add 3,300 acres to Richland's urban growth area ended up going through an appeal before the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board and ultimately being scaled back before finally being approved in 2007.

The acreage annexed includes the 40-acre, 79-lot Reata Ridge subdivision; 325 acres owned by Bill and Holly Wilson primarily used as an orchard; and about 1,500 acres owned by Nor Am Investments that is to be developed with as many as 5,000 homes, shops, offices, parks and a wine village.
Simon projected that when fully developed, the area will bring in a net of about $350,000 per year to the city's budget.

Loren Combs, the attorney for Nor Am, said the developer has submitted to the city schematics for sewer lines and other improvements to the land and is waiting for the annexation to be complete and permits to be issued before breaking ground.

Houses likely will start being built in 2012, Combs said.

The land is expected to be developed for 20 years, and ultimately could be home to an estimated 12,000 people.

Also Tuesday:
The council unanimously adopted an ordinance setting the city's property tax levy for 2011. The city is opting not to take the 1 percent property tax collection increase allowed by law, and is applying $400,000 of interest income from bonds to renovate the Richland Public Library toward property tax reduction.

The reduction will come over two years -- $250,000 applied in 2011 and $150,000 applied in 2012, said Ron Musson, administrative services manager.

Under that plan, the city's property tax levy rate will drop by about 12 cents, from $3.14 per $1,000 of value in 2010 to $3.02 in 2011.

That represents about a 5-cent reduction over the planned rate without the library money being applied, or a savings of about $10 per year for a $200,000 home, Musson said.

Overall, the owner of a $200,000 home should see a $24 drop in property taxes compared to 2010.

-- Michelle Dupler: 582-1543; mdupler@tricityherald.com


Read more: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/11/17/1255535/richland-oks-annexation-one-more.html#storylink=mirelated#ixzz18CYbOgeX

Richland planners in favor of development - Mid-Columbia News | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news

RICHLAND -- The city of Richland is moving closer to making a nearly 2,000-acre development on the south side of Badger Mountain a reality.

The city council is expected to consider a master plan for the area -- which is not yet within its boundaries but has been earmarked for future growth -- sometime in July after the planning commission unanimously recommended the plan's approval at a meeting this week.

The plan sets out general zoning and development guidelines for the area, which eventually is expected to include 5,000 homes, parks, schools, 150 acres of commercial development and a wine village.

Once the master plan, formally known as the Badger Mountain Subarea plan, is approved, then the city can start working on a more specific development agreement with the developer, said Rick Simon, Richland's development services manager.

And once those details are hammered out, the city would start to move toward annexing the land, Simon said.
Also this week, the commission recommended that the council approve a settlement agreement between property owners and neighbors of a proposed development at Keene Road and the future extension of Queensgate Drive.

The development was the subject of controversy in October 2008 when the owners asked the city to amend the comprehensive plan to redesignate 48 acres from low-density residential to medium-density residential and commercial, and redesignate 12.5 acres for neighborhood commercial use.

Residents of the nearby Country Ridge subdivision complained that having commercial development next to their homes would bring too much traffic and devalue their homes.

The city council approved the comprehensive plan amendment that would have allowed some of the land to become commercial, and the neighbors appealed to the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, Simon said.

Rather than go through a costly appeal, the parties agreed to sit down and negotiate, he said.
The settlement agreement considered by the planning commission Wednesday provided a low-density residential buffer between Country Ridge and any commercial development, which would happen on the east side of the eventual extension of Queensgate, Simon said. Country Ridge lies to the west of the proposed development.

Simon said the agreement also restricted the character of commercial development and included some building standards, such as a provision that no large-scale retail stores could be placed there, and one that said buildings can't be more than 30 feet tall.

No development can take place until a right of way is established for the extension of Queensgate, he said.
The final decision to accept the agreement rests with the city council.

w Michelle Dupler: 582-1543; mdupler@tricityherald.com


Read more: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/06/25/1068837/richland-planners-in-favor-of.html#storylink=mirelated#ixzz18CVxRFv0