Three Rivers Convention Center Expansion

Public/Private Partnership Opportunity

The Three Rivers Convention Center is preparing for an expansion, thanks to an $85 million private/public partnership that will not include any new taxes.

On Tuesday, September 3rd, the Kennewick City Council voted unanimously to sell 3.6 acres next to the Convention Center to A-1 Hospitably Group. The project will be completed in two phases.

Phase One of the project will include a 60,000-square-foot expansion of the Convention Center, including a 2,000-seat theatre and exhibit space, as well as additional parking. This portion of the project is expected to cost $35 million and will be paid for by the City of Kennewick. The developer will fund an additional $50 million to build a seven-story hotel with restaurant space, a spa and outdoor pool. The plan includes a 24-month due diligence period to confirm the feasibility of the project.

Phase Two of the project will add three towers with 800 condo units, plus retail and restaurant space and beautification additions like a public park, water features and a boardwalk. This part of the project will cost an additional $160 million and require another 4 to 5 acres of land.

The Three Rivers Convention Center currently generates more than $30 million dollars a year. Phase two is expected to bring in another $21 million dollars a year.

Phase 1

Public Partnership

  • $35 million investment from public dollars

  • Nearly 33,000 SF exhibition hall expansion

  • 2,000 seat flex-space performing arts theater

  • 11,000 SF Convention Center & Theater lobby with new box office

  • 13,850 SF back-of-house space

  • Provides the required parking to support the Convention Center expansion

Private Partnership

  • $50 million from total investment

  • Finance and construct a high-quality, 7-story convention hotel equivalent to an upper mid-scale hotel with restaurant, spa and outdoor pool

  • Finance and construct an approximately 40,000 SF retail building

Phase 2

  • Five components: Residential, Commercial, Public Park, Water Features & Boardwalk

  • Three residential towers with 800 quality condominium units with full amenities including reception area, exercise facility, swimming pool, sauna, storage unit and garden/BBQ area

  • 250,000 to 300,000 SF of high-end shopping, restaurants and offices on the first two levels of the mixed-use development

  • State-of-the-art water features with public areas

  • Boardwalk with designated spots for vendors for weekend Market

Why We Need It

  • Nearly $20 million in potential economic impact to the community just in retaining current conventions that are quickly outgrowing the existing space and to attract new conventions

    • In recent years, four major groups have outgrown the TRCC space with an estimated loss of $1.45 million in overall economic impact to the community.
      • WA Assoc. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
      • Pacific Northwest Clean Water Assoc.
      • WA School Nutrition Assoc.
      • WA Career & Technical Sports Medicine Assoc.
    • Five other growing groups have indicated they will need to seek another location without an expansion. The current total economic impact of just these 5 groups totals over $6.7 million.
    • There are approximately 20 other groups and associations that the TRCC has been unable to accommodate and would be able to attract with the expansion. The economic impact with these groups would have our community, based on their current attendees and convention days, exceed $11 million.

  • Local businesses & retailers will benefit from increase spending on food, lodging & other goods

  • Potential for $210 million in private investment