City leaders want to enhance West Richland’s small-town charm and quality of life and expand its commercial sector. With more than 8,000 acres available for development, they want to reach out to developers, manufactures and retails to help expand the city’s tax base and build a “dream” community.
Plans call for a community with green, open spaces where people live, work, shop and relax without driving too far, just like Columbia, MD, a privately developed community with more than than 100,000 residents.
New projects will bring in jobs, diversify the economy and help make West Richland a destination, distinct from neighborhing Richland.
For the first time, West Richland will have a booth at the retail trade association gathering to draw the attention of real estate developers, mall owners, brokers, retailers and financial institutions.
In the last decate, the population of West Richland has doubled to about 12,000. The number of city-issued business licenses has grown.9.5 percent annually in the same period.
Improvements on Bombing Range Road and Keene Road have kept pace with improvements in water, sewer and other infrastructure facilities with a view to accomodate future growth and expansion.
The expansion of the city’s waste-water treatment will double its capacity from 750,000 gallons a day to 1.5 million gallons a day.
The city also is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan and is set to hire an economic development specialist to recruit new business and help them grow. The city is also re-writing some of its zoning ordinances.
Manufacturers will help create jobs and retailers soon will follow and generate sales tax for the city. West Richland may be a good choice for companies trying to benefit from the research carried out at the Pacirfic Northwest National Laboratory.
The proposed Red Mountain Center project near Van Giesen Street and Ruppert Road will bring housing, retail and light industrial development to 320 acres. The port owns 15 acres in Red Mountain Center. A new winery is under construction on part of the port’s property.
West Richland is also trying to promote the 40-acre Belmont Commercial site on Keene Road and Belmont Boulevard.
West Richland’s per-capita sales tax earnings are $42 annually compared to $180 in Kennewick, Richland and Pasco and $200 in Washington.