Richland launches 'Future in Focus' to coordinate transportation, land‑use and parks planning

Richland City Council on April 22, 2025 received kickoff briefings for “Future in Focus,” a coordinated project to update the city’s transportation system plan, comprehensive land‑use plan and parks, recreation and open‑space plan.

The effort, city staff said, will align three separate planning processes so residents and stakeholders can engage across topics that overlap on growth, mobility and open space. “This is a project we’re calling Future in Focus,” City staff member Joe Shushel said as he opened the item.

The coordinated work matters because state law and new legislative requirements intersect with fast local growth. Planning manager Mike Stevens told the council that Richland has been receiving a larger share of county growth than previously estimated: “here in Richland, we’re at 37,” he said, referring to the share of incoming county residents projected to move into the city.

Consultants outlined scopes and schedules. Stephanie Herstein, principal with Transpo Group, said the transportation system plan update will inventory existing conditions, update travel‑demand modeling with the Ben Franklin…