After Yoke’s Fresh Market came to the highland area of West Richland in 2005, the small town has continued to grow with both commercial and residential buildings.
Two Tri-City companies have been vital in this growth: Structural Venture Team LLC , and development company Capital Advancement Solutions LLC. John Sullins is the co-owner of both companies, with Mike Bittner and Brian Trimble as equal partners.
Responsible for bringing Yoke’s to the area two years, both companies currently have a 4,200-square-foot gas station under construction. The gas station will have a Quizno’s and a drive-through car wash, Sullins said. The name of the gas station is Smitty’s and Paradise and it will be located at 1400 Bombing Range Road. According to the building permit, the cost of this new facility is about $546,000.
In addition to being the general contractor, Sullins and his partners are also owners of the building and will be leasing it to R.H. Smith, who will be operating the business. “Construction on the gas station started in September and should be complete and open by the end of December, Sullins said.
All tank systems have been installed, the building’s foundation has been poured and as of press time (November), construction of the building was expected to begin within the next two weeks following the end of October. Also built by Sullins and his partners is Paradise Place, This 9,400 square foot building is located in Yoke’s parking lot, at 4580 Paradise Way. it has been open since September and tenant improvements are currently being completed. Sahara Pizza and LAN Gaming HQ are current tenants. the other tenants, who should be in their spaces before December, are Next Generation Games, All State, Expressolicius and a retail computer outlet business, the name of which could not be disclosed at press time.
There are also plans for a professional building on the same side of the streets as Smitty’s and Paradise. Sullins said the hope to break ground this winter on 10,000 square feet of medical professional buildings. Square footage will be sold or leased to medical professional wanting to use the space and the building will be able to house around six to eight different clients, Sullins said. They are aiming to complete this project by summer 2008.
The number of jobs this commercial growth, including Yoke’s, has currently brought to the area is around 200, Sullins said. With all the current construction, he guesses at least another 50 jobs will be available as well. “The City of West Richland seems really eager to bring new commerce to the area. The process of working through it has been relatively smooth,” he said.
Sullins and his partners also bought a 40-lot residential subdivision named Sienna West to the same time they started the commercial area. The companies plan to develop other residential and commercial areas in the city of West Richland and are seeking additional ground for residential and commercial buildings, Sullins said.
“We do have visions for other commercial areas of West Richland, [but] I’m not at liberty to really discuss,” he said. “We are working towards more growth in the West Richland area.”
From the Tri-City Herald