Tri-Cities Real Estate News & Views

BFHS to Build New Facility

Local business Masterson Construction and architect Terry Thornton have been chosen by the Humane Society officials to build the new Benton-Franklin Humane Society’s new no-kill animal shelter. Land was recently purchased by BFHS from the Port of Kennewick on Seventh Ave near Western Equipment sales. There are currently buildings already in place on the land all but one of the buildings will be removed, the one remaining building will most likely be used as a spay and neuter facility. BFHS has been raising $2 million for a while now which would cover the costs of the land, construction, and the costs of a larger facility; they have raised nearly $1.5 million so far. The new shelter will be nearly 9,000 sq. feet and will be able to house about…

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Tax Credit, Real Estate Ethics, Tri Cities Wa First Time Home Buyer

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit With the first time homebuyer deadline drawing to a close I am starting to see a certain "˜frenzy' of first home buyers wanting to get in on the action. Call me a bad Tri Cities Realtor® (but I am certainly ethical) if you want, but I have been known to tell first time home buyers that $8,000 is not a good reason to buy a home. On the contrary, making the wrong choice in a house can potentially cost you more than $8,000.   I suppose if someone is planning on purchasing anyway the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is a nice side benefit, but I am seeing an inordinate number of buyers wanting to buy just for the tax credit. Actually, I think the flurry of activity going on in the market right will drive prices up…

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Tapteal Greenway Working to Restore Amon Basin

On Saturday March 27 Tapteal Greenway will be working on restoring the Amon Basin wetlands form 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Tapteal Greenway is looking for help from anyone willing and able, the work includes fence building and planting. For those who would like to participate they are asked to park at Center Boulevard and Eastwood Avenue in Willowbrook in S. Richland; the restoration area is through the gate and down the road. Volunteers are asked to bring themselves gloves, water, snacks, sunscreen, heavy wire cutters, portable weed eaters, and sharp-nosed shovels. Contact Kathy Dechter for more information call 509.627.0950 or emailing kdechter@charter.net.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane Richland Realtors®

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16th District Town Hall Meeting with Mike Hewitt Over the Phone

Mike Hewitt, R-Walla Walla, the Senate Minority Leader of the 16th district, has scheduled a town hall meeting for Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm. Hewitt’s 16th district includes Walla Walla, Columbia counties, Pasco, and parts of Kennewick. Hewitt says he has been hearing from many people throughout the 16th district about what the legislature is doing this year and the ramifications this could have on their families. This meeting will last for one-hour, during this time Hewitt will discuss the 2010 legislative session and special session as well as answer questions.  For those interested in taking part of this town hall meeting and making your voice be heard the meeting will take place over the phone. To participate call 877.229.8493 and …

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City of Richland Creates New Blog Go Green Richland

"Go Green Richland" is the name of a new blog and communication source for area residents. Go Green Richland features timely information, such as the temporary schedule for curbside recycling in Richland's pilot program neighborhoods, and answers to frequently asked "green" questions and concerns.

Richland's Environmental Education Office maintains the blog as another way to keep residents updated on solid waste changes and other environmental issues that may occur in the future, like new energy technologies and water conservation activities.  Visit Go Green Richland and become a follower to receive updates, information and tips on green living.

Joe and Colleen Lane Richland Realtors®

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Charter Communications Makes 2010 Regional Economic Outlook Available with On-Demand

TRIDEC members and supporters who have Charter's cable box can now watch at their convenience the 2010 Economic Outlook on Charter's On-Demand service. The 2010 Economic Outlook was presented earlier this year with reports about employment, population, housing, how independent the Tri Cities is becoming of Hanford, along with other reports.

To View:
Press menu on your remote, then you will see a listing called I want more and select. 
Next, select community programs and you can choose to view one of the 2010 Economic Outlook presentations including Brian Wesbury's keynote luncheon speech. 

Lloyd Swain, with Charter Communications, says, "On demand is a great service and we hope to add more local content in the months ahead."

For…

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Richland Housing Authority to Close its Doors

The Richland Housing Authority is planning on being out of business by the end of June. This decision to close is based on the financial difficulties that the Housing Authority is facing. These troubles came to head in September when the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that the authority had misused the housing assistance money, there was also $500,000 in Section 8 assistance money that was unaccounted for. Section 8 gives rental assistance for 400 low-income families in Richland, West Richland, and Benton City; in November this money was yanked by the HUD. The authority had to transfer their clients to the Kennewick Housing Authority. The authority has also had to sell off assets to pay back debts; they have…

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Tree Line USA Award Granted to Benton PUD

The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the Benton PUD as recipient of the Tree Line USA Award for the eleventh year in a row. This award is granted to utilities who are committed to quality tree care, public education, and tree planting. The award also recognizes utilities for national leadership in utility arboriculture. The Benton PUD's tree program was developed to ensure they provided quality tree care practices and helped customers plant the appropriate trees near utility lines. The benefits of the program have been healthier trees, less outages and long-term savings to Benton PUD. "The tree program is one of the many proactive things we do to prevent outages which in return results in long term operational savings," said…

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Virtual Kennewick Makes Information Easily Available for Residents

About 20 years ago the Geographic Information Services (GIS) division at City Hall in Kennewick began collecting data about Kennewick by digitizing site plans, aerial photographs, and survey’s of buildings and streets. Within the last six months this information has been used by about five GIS staff to create a website that compiles all this information to be used by the general public. This website, Virtual Kennewick, can be used to gain information about anything from locations of businesses to the location of the sewer main in your area. Virtual Kennewick is meant to be citizen friendly; the GIS staff at the City Hall are updating the site daily to make it the most beneficial for users. Staff said that the biggest challenge in creating this…

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West Richland Shelby Automaker Teams with Designer Jason Castriota

West Richland automaker, Jerod Shelby, designer/maker of the world’s fastest production car, the Ultimate Aero, will be teaming with Jason Castriota to create the next high-end Shelby automobile. Shelby’s Ultimate Aero brought fame to Shelby Supercars in 2007 when it went up to 257 mph on a two-lane road near Prosser Washington. Castriota has previously been in Italy designing cars like the Pininfarina P4/5, the Stile Bertone Mantide, Birdcage, and the Rolls-Royce Hyperion. Now Castriota has decided to step away from his car designing career in Italy to come back to the United States. Shelby and Castriota have recently made an exclusive contract in which Castriota will design two cars in a minimum of one year. These will be the first design…

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