Kennewick hosts open house events to share vision of convention center expansion

The City of Kennewick recently entered into an agreement with a private developer to expand the Three Rivers Convention Center.

City spokesperson Evelyn Lusignan says expanding the capacity of the center will allow the city to compete with other cities for events that help our economy-- without raising the sales tax.

"The biggest thing that distinguishes the two plans, is those proposals that went before the voters involved a .02% sales tax, and that was rejected by the voters. The feedback we got was that they wanted to see private investment there, and they weren't willing to support a sales tax to support that project," says Lusignan.

The initial phase of the project would require an $85 million investment, and includes construction of a 2,000 seat theater, expansion of the convention center by 33,000 feet, and expanding and updating the lobby of the Toyota Center, combining it with that of the new theater.

Lusignan says improvement and expansion of the convention center will bring more big events to the facility, and help the city hang on to those events that regularly use the convention center are in danger of outgrowing the facility and seeking out a new location.

The city hosts a pair of open houses in September and October, to let residents know what's in store, and answer any questions or concerns:

Monday, September 30, 2019

Thursday, October 17th, 2019

Both open house events will be at the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7018 W. Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, from 4:30 to 6:30pm.