Documents filed under Washington’s environmental review process reveal a list of projects in the works for the Mid-Columbia.
The State Environmental Review Act, or SEPA, often provides the first look at the mixed-use projects, mini storage facilities, apartments, industrial expansions, subdivisions and more that are working their way through the various planning departments of Benton, Franklin and Walla Walla counties.
Here’s a look at projects that appeared in the SEPA register in the past month.
Pasco-Burns LLC Apartments
Pasco
Pasco-Burns LLC, based in Vancouver, Washington, has submitted plans to build a multi-family housing complex with 354 units within 14 buildings on Burns Road in Pasco. The project includes an office and amenities, such as a clubhouse and swimming pool.
The LLC paid $5 million for the 13 acres of vacant property at 10181 and 10315 Burns Road in April 2022.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife said a nesting bird survey, including for raptors, must be completed prior to any development.
Merlot Drive Hotel
Prosser
Hardildar Gill of Richland-based 2ASPIRE LLC plans to build a 65-unit hotel at 250 Merlot Drive in the Port of Benton’s Prosser Wine & Food Park.
The four-story property will carry the Microtel brand, according to environmental review documents. The city of Prosser determined the project will not have a significant environmental impact in a decision released Jan. 11. It will employ 10-15 when built.
The project site is between Wine Country RV and Prosser Pharmacy.
Microtel is an economy brand of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts that boasts “simple, smart, efficiency” in its properties.
If built, it will have an indoor pool, 14 single rooms, two ADA compliant single rooms, 40 double rooms, one ADA compliant double room, six suites and two ADA compliant suites. The property also will have a guest laundry, office and support facilities and 620 square feet for breakfast.
Sun Pacific retail center
Kennewick
A shopping center is planned across the street from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick.
The proposed building at 825 N. Edison St. will have 25,657 square feet on the lower level and 4,240 square feet on the upper. The site plan includes 122 parking stalls on the 2-acre site.
Site work is to begin this month, with completion in August.
LCR Construction LLC is the general contractor.
Miguel’s Venue
Finley
Jessica Morales of Pasco has submitted plans to build an outdoor reception facility with permanently affixed restrooms and a 125-space parking area at 201005 E. Game Farm Road in Finley.
Events held on site will not exceed 200 attendees and will be limited to conditions determined through a conditional use permit process.
The property is about a mile east of the intersection of Oak Street and Game Farm Road, across from Santiago County View Estates Mobile Home Park.
CHS barge slip dredging
Kennewick
CHS Inc. submitted plans to dredge deposited sand at its grain dock at 901 E. Columbia Drive in Kennewick to maintain an adequate berthing depth of a minimum 16 feet for a target dredge depth of 319 feet.
CHS is proposing to dredge up to about 5,000 cubic yards of sand over an approximately 0.4-acre area, about 485 feet along the dock face and 50 feet waterward from the dock face.
Dredging operations are anticipated to be conducted 12 hours per day, six days per week with the seventh day used for equipment maintenance if the project lasts for more than seven days.
CHS is proposing to complete the work between Aug. 1, 2023, and Feb. 28, 2024, which is within the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s approved in-water work window for this area of the Columbia River.
The terminal is in an area of Lake Wallula where deposits occur.
CHS serves an average of 60 barges per year.
Intersection improvements
Richland
The city of Richland is planning construction of a new four-way lighted intersection near the existing intersection of Steptoe Boulevard and Tapteal Drive.
The city expects the project to improve traffic congestion and pedestrian access at the intersection.
Construction is anticipated to begin this year.
Yesmar office/retail building
Pasco
An 8,730-square-foot office and retail building will be constructed at 8425 Chapel Hill Blvd., alongside two existing 10,500-square-foot buildings starting this spring. The addition will add 36 parking spots to the complex.
Knutzen Engineering of Kennewick is the proponent for the project.
The city of Pasco determined it will not have a significant impact on the environment in a decision issued Jan. 17.
McCurley Chevrolet expansion
Pasco
McCurley Integrity Dealerships LLC plans to expand the service and parts center of the dealership at 1325 W. Autoplex Way in Pasco by nearly 44,600 square feet, bringing its total square footage to 89,865.
The project includes renovation of 671 square feet within the existing structure.
Syngenta Seeds expansion
Pasco
Syngenta Seeds plans to build a 22,000-square-foot pre-engineered metal building to expand its seed processing operations at 5516 Industrial Way in Pasco. Construction is anticipated to begin in March and take a year. Hummel Architects of Idaho submitted the SEPA documents.
Sylvester Street safety upgrades
Pasco
The city of Pasco is planning to reconfigure West Sylvester Street between its intersection with Road 54 and its intersection with North Third Avenue.
The existing four-lane roadway will be converted to a three-lane roadway with bike and pedestrian facilities on both sides of the road.
The project is expected to begin this year.
A future pedestrian bridge is anticipated to be built over Highway 395 but this project is not funded so will be built as a separate project in the future.
I-82 south subarea plan
Benton City
Benton City is adopting a plan for the area south of Interstate 82 that will become an “optional” element of its comprehensive plan.
The subarea plan was created to establish a long-range vision and development strategy for the mostly undeveloped area as the city contemplates the need for new housing options, commercial development and other amenities.
The plan would apply to seven properties covering 235 acres within the city limits of Benton City and south of the freeway. The most recent addition is a Sun Market/Shell station that opened in mid-2022.