Kennewick Convention Expansion Plan Won’t Tax Citizens

You may remember The Link, an ambitious project a few years ago that would have 'linked' the Toyota Center to the 3 Rivers Convention Center, refurbished the Toyota Center and more.

It was rejected by voters due to a sales tax. However, now the City of Kennewick is back with a new version that won't cost taxpayer money.

Tuesday night the City Council voted unanimously to sell 3.6 acres next to the convention center to a developer in what's being described as a private/public partnership.  The $85 million dollar project will be in two phases.

The first phase will expand the convention center and adding a hotel,  Phase two includes building three residential towers with 800 total condo units, a public park, water features and a boardwalk. The plan includes a 24 month due diligence period to confirm the feasibility of the project.

However, it does not contain any plans to overhaul or refurbish the aging Toyota Center. Officials say such improvements could greatly expand the $31 million that comes in to the region via conventions, concerts, conferences and trade shows.